The Mineral argus., 1886-06-03

A meeting of saw mill men was held
i'm Helena last week and some action I
taken Of a secret nature to have the /
Objectionable features Of Sparks order
nuliiied. The following rules which
work the greatest injury, and COM
ments thereon, are taken from the
Independent:
Rule 2. The land from which timber is
felled or removed, under the provisions al
the act. must be known TO be strictly and
distinctly mineral in character and more
valuable for mining than for timber or for
any other purpose or use.
The timber men claim that it is impos-
sible for them to decide as to what land is
strictly mineral in character, and as to
whether il is more valuable for mining than
for timber or for any other purpose without
greatly increasing the expense, and the
slightest doubt as to the legitimacy Of their
operations would make them liable to
attachment by the United States.
Rule 4. Timber felled or removed shall
be strictly limited to building, agricultural,
mining and other domestic purposes.
All cutting Of such timber for sale or
commerce 10 forbidden. But for building,
agricultural, mining and other domestic
purposes each person authorized by the
act may cut or remove for his or her own
use, by himself or herself, or by his, her or
their own personal agent or agents only.
| Rule 3. No person will be permitted to
| fell or remove any growing trees Of any kind
whatsoever, less than eight inches in diam
eter.
A strict compliance with Rule I would
practically ohlige our builders to look to
Washington and Oregon for all lumber
supplies, would throw out Of employment
| in this territory thousands Of mechanics,
would increase the cost of dressed lumber
fully $40 per thousand feet without bene-
fitting the Territory in any shape, manner
or form. All classes Of society would feel
the effects Of this unjust reading Of the law,
which should be revoked at the earliest
opportunity. As it is, our lumberincn are
willing to purchase the timber as it stands,
hut are not allowed to do il, and the
doubtful character Of the law us devised
and expressed places them at the mercy oil
the government without recourse. Should
they construe all mountainous land even
as mineral land they would be taking great
chances and the margin Of profit il too
small for the risk.
In regard to rule No. 5-that of fellins
growing trees of less than eight inches in
diameter it affects the greatest interest O.
the Territory - the mining and smeltin;
interest The cord wood supply for ouI
mining interests is drawn principally iron
trees Of small growth, which, however
from it's character IL useless for any Other
purpose, growing SO thickly on the noun
: tain sides that it never attains any eOnsid
} cradle size, its tall and slender growtl
placing II at the mercy Of storms, which
, frequently lay large tracts low.
J This law, II construed strictly on thu
) lines laid down by Sparks, would crippl
: the vast and growing mining interests o
3 the Territory and force Montana to lool
E to Washington and Oregon for its TUE
{ supply, while the mines in course OF dcvel
opment away from railroad facilities woul'
many OF them-be obliged to shut dow
in full view Of timber useless for any othe
purposes, but denied them by provision
OF the land office that avails nothing II
the absolute preservation OF timber lands
y and vet places an embargo on the genera
development Of the Territory.