The record-union., 1893-02-23

character and deciding upon its feas-
ibility.
For restraining works for the debris
below the mines and in the canyons and
lower reaches of tributaries, the Govern
ment requires the mine to bear portion
of the cost equal to 3 per cent. of the min
ing OUTPUT. Presumably the Govern
ment thus commits itself to cost necessary
in excess of that amount.
The bill requires these engineers to
consider at once and view the condition
Of the navigable streams, and report to
Congress each year what is needed for
their protection, reclamation and restora-
ton.
We should judge also that the bill au-
thorizes this commission to put into ope-
ration works already devised for river
treatment, that is if the earlier devices sug-
gested by prior commissions and engi-
neering examination are approved, and
to use funds already appropriated for
such purposes.
1t would seem also that the commission
is empowered in certain directions to
create liabilities at once, and to justify
expenditure, Congress by the bill SEEM
ing to have pledged itself to that extent.
Viewed in the light of present knowl-
edge of the bill, it appears to the RECORD
UNION:
1..That the Government now fully and
irrevocably commits itself to response
bility for treatment of the rivers, with
view to the full restoration of their navi-
gability, and thus commands the War
Department to remove the condition some
years ago imposed, requiring proof of the
total cessation of hydraulic mining before
the department would take any steps
toward river reclamation.
2. That it commits itself to the restric-
ton of hydraulic mining which will per-
manently or materially iniure the
streams, and agrees to license and defend
hydraulic mining conducted according to
Government plans, which must have as a
first and overshadowing purpose the pro-
lection and Improvement Of navigable
channels.
3. 1t commits the Federal Government
to the policy Of consulting with State or
local commissions or organizations, treat
ing the incidental of low-land reclama-
ton and drainage, not to aid or succor the
same, but with view of having all light
possible shed upon the whole question.
1t must be assumed, therefore, that while
the Federal Government departs not one
jot from its policy relative to public ex-
penditure for private benefit, it gives
kindly recognition and cheer to all efforts
made to drain and reclaim, and will. so
far as engineering judgment justifes, en-
courage the same by its counsel. and be
pleased to see such works harmonic
with the scheme of river treatment.
Largely the whole matter is one of ex-
pertinent. 1t is one of prodigious char
acter. 1t must be experimental, since
the questions involved are not those re,
lated to an exact science. But since it
proposes these great essentials, resump-
tion of mining by hydraulic process, res
toration of river navigation and protec-
ton from the results of diversion of
clogged and checked streams, it would
seem to be a wise experiment, and to
promise as full test of the possibilities
of the whole subject as could be asked.
1t is subject, of course, to the liability
of the whole scheme being one of such
enormous cost that economical Congresses
and political demagogy may shut
down upon it and bring all contemplated
improvements to a standstill.
But even if this results we cannot be
worse Off than we now are. If we as
sumo that the engineering scheme fails
in the evident proposal to allow the
lighter material to be imposed upon the
river current for carriage, and that this
task is refused by the streams, and de-
position results that will do material
damage to the rivers, bays and harbors,
we will be placed where We are now,
since this lighter material now flows
from unrestrained deposits, even when
hydraulic mining is shut down, and tho
bill clearly contemplates that it shall not
be resumed to an extent or in manner
to send heavier material into the rivers
or their tributaries
The bill is now probably law. We
must take it as it is. 1t impresses us
hopefully. We expect from it at least
such governmental enlightenment as will
give the rivers ultimate relief, and at
the same time permit the precious metal
industries to become active and river
navigation to be restored to something
very near its original capacity.
In the meantime, let the people in val
ley and mountain give the law fair trial,
nor seek to throw obstacles in the way of
the full test of the experiment. If it is
said that the new commission has inn
posed upon it task to which it cannot
prove equal in watching and preventing
evasion of the prohibitive clauses of the
law, it is to be replied that there are 50. 900
lowland dwellers who will be alert to
aid them, and we believe thousands of