The Coalville times. [volume] (Coalville, Utah) 1894-1923, 1897-09-10
MINING MATTERS.
FEDERAL MINING LAWS.
sargsstions Made as to Chsngss That Are
Needed

HukkNhNAnha AhNt ~ 10 AhauEta IhnN ARE !
Needed.
At various tlinca efforts have been
made to amend the federal mining
laws. or rather. 10 get into some kind
OF practical working shape the cum.
bersomc mass Of couilict'-A memornn-
da known rs the fedora, mining stat
utcs. In the last twenty years several
attempts have been made TO secure
some satisfactory federal action. but
each time senatorial courtesy allowed
senator Stewart OF Nevada (who has n
copyrighted mining law Of his own to-
sldotrnck any and all Efforts IN that dl-
rcctlun. lie annually introduces his
own law and occasionally has Il passed
by the Senate, which Is as far rs IL
gets.
Last November the California state
Miners Association appointed n COM
mittcc whose duty II was TO prepare
such legislation as was deemed ncces-
snry TO be submitted TO the annual con-
venilon which meets next October,
and, II reported favorahly, 10 be pre-
scented ut the session OF the Ffty-flfth
Congress next December. II IL under
stood that that committee is now pre-
pairing such report.
At the recent International Gold Min.
ing Convention, held In Denver Colo
RADIO, n committee was appointed to
take up the matter. Under date OF the
18th instant. The California member OF
that committee writes as follows:
80 the Edltor-IIavng been APP
pointed by the Transmlssisslppl Con.
gross n member OF the committee 10 for
mulnte suggestion 20 the Congress
OF the United States with n view to the
/ alteration or amendment OF the mineral
/ land law as II now exists | have the
/ honor TO lay before you the amend
/ mcnts which, 10 me personally, seem
necessary, and TO ask for criticism aud
suggestion on the part OF miners nnd
/ OF those taking an interest In the min.
ing Industry. | assume that oil VIII
agree that the present statutes are cum
bersomc, fruitful OF litigation and al
together unsatisfactory TO the legiti'
mate miner. As far as the laws touch.
Ing placers are concerned, l am OF the
opinion that they may he left about
as they now arr. | would amend them
simply by extcr flag the list or min
| cralR subject 60 location under the
placer act and inserting all the use
ful metals and earths, as well as IN,
coal oils. hydrocarbons, bauxlte, man
azitc, etc, etc.-ln n word, all the nat
urnl substances used In the arts and
the subject OF commercial utility. Al
20 the laws touching veins or lodes;
"First.-I would do away with the ex
ira lateral right altogether. But, IL
order that those who prefer 60 keel
this right may have their choice,
would permit patontlng under the pres
ent law until January !, 1900.
"Second.-l would make the unit oi
location 1,OO0xi 600 feet In the form oI
squire, or II there be not available
ground 10 that extent, then any amour
less aud OF amy form. In order thn
fiat or low-dlpplng deposits may NO
DO too soon lost by passing beyont
the lines OF surface location, ! woult
allow the same person or persons Il
take up an additional claim OF 1000,
1000 feet on the side OF tho dip-thl
same person 10 be allowed not mort
, than two such claims In the same dis
trlct.
'rhlrd.-I would do away with IN
: annual expenditure ($iOO) ms now. an
J IN It's stead require a payment TO III
4 United States surveyor general, or Z
A some proper officer, OF the sum OF 80
III patented. II less thnn t,oO0xi 90
feet, then less proportional amount
, In consideration OF this payment,
deputy OF the surveyor general shall
l. anon call, be sent 10 the district AM
n authorItntively IL the location. Fur
q Their In order that no snap judgment
d, be taken, / would have district RI
~. cordcr appointed whose duty should b
u simply TO take the names OF the loca
h tors in the order presented 20 him 3
l. that first como should be FIRST served
!, the recorder TO be obliged 20 forwar
such list or lists 10 the Office OF the SUI
yeyor general at least once In each an
u every month.
\. "There are other minor details whlc
. can be attended TO before finally pass
- ing the amendments. The above-mcr
y toned three win, ! think, furnish maj
Is ter enough for the present ] woul
A add that persons wishing 10 critlcise q
a, alter might address their replies TO yoi
J" The matter IN pressing, as the commit
" tee meets ON Saturday, September a
H. next. w. :. kEfEs, Nj. r.
. There are, probably. very few mir
* ers In the United States who VIII nc
Az heartily concur In the suggestion .
Colonel Kcyes that the extra later
" theory ana practice he abolished hlt'
10 gether. and with II the apex, parable
end lines, etc, which have done MOI
TO make yeXntions ana expensive mil
v ing litigation IN this country than an!
o. thing else. with the exception OF ~
T. llyln, no other country has n slmlll
ed statute.
In a very short time the Callfornl
W. member OF that important commits
aa win meet with his colleagues, and an
et criticism, adverse or affirmative. wi
Il, aid him In placing these matters befol
tho conference ut Donyer.-Mining an
y" Scientific Press.
NJ Percentage Of sulphurep.