The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-07-04
THE MINING CONGRESS.
Questions Which Will Enter Into It's
Deliberations


In an able editorial on the~Interna-
tional mining congress which is to
convene in this city city this week the
Mining World. of Butte, SAYS:
Measured by its influence End effects
the International mining congress,
which convenes in Salt Lake City,
July 6, viii prove to be one Of the
most important gatherings OF mining
men ever held. 1t is already in evil
dence that the personnel of the body
viii be OF a high type, the manner Of
selecting delegates giving ample as
surances to that end. While the educa-
tional features of the congress will be
Of rare interest and papers will be read
on topics Of far-reaching Importance
to the industrial side of mining, the
most important work of that body will
be its recommendations relative to
needed changes in the federal mining
laws. Upon the character Of these
recommendations will the usefulness of
the congress largely depend.
1t is to be ardently hoped by the
great mining constituency represented
by the delegates in attendance that
unusual care and elaboration will
characterize every step in this direc
ton. 1t is clear that the recommends
tons made by this body will form the
basis for such changes in the federal
laws as the national congress may be
induced to make. These recommends
tons will be construed as the composite
expression OF the mining interests Of
the great west, and are very likely to
be formulated into law in the near
future.
From no other authority will our
statesmen hope to gather the views of
mining men generally, and hence the
duty of careful action rests with the
Salt Lake convention. Approaching
their responsibilities We have faith to
believe that due caution will be exer-
cised to insure a. proper respect to
their recommendations This issue of
the Western Mining World is largely
devoted to the discussion of questions
coming before that body.
THE SILVER QUESTION.
Undoubtedly an effort will be made
to suppress the silver question in the
recommendations made by the Inter
national mining congress, on the
grounds that it is of political char
acter. Fundamentally, however, the sill
yer question represents one phase of
the mining industry Not only are
thousands Of silver mines lying idle on
account of inability to operate them
at the present price of the white metal,
but producing mines suffer because
their by-prodacu Of silver represents so
little value on the market. Many min
ing camps have been ruined by the
closing down of silver mines, to the
utter decentralization Of business inter
ests and real estate values in such To-
calitieS.
1t is as much the duty and privilege
of the mining congress to inquire into
the cause and cure of those conditions
as it is for a convention of Dakota
farmers to discuss the price of wheat. !
The congress will be derelict in it's duty
to one of the most important branches |
of the industry if it does not seriously
consider the interests Of silver from
all points Of the compass. In doing |
so it viii not detract from the interests
of gold or copper or lead, or other min
ing propositions that may come in for |
elaborate debate.
If a mining congress does not en- |
courage every branch Of mining it is |
2. raisuomer insofar es each and every |
omission is concerned. Let the silver
question be intelligently discussed and
vigorous recommendation made.
Montana, will doubtless be heard from
on the floor of that body in defense
of a silver resolution. for her delega-
lion embraces men who have the cour-
a oe IF their convictions and the ability
and eloduence to expound them
DEPARTMENT OF MINING.
The growth of the mining industry
antilles II to a. consideration at the
hands of the government not accorded
under present conditions. Ii Is