The San Francisco call., 1899-10-19
SUPPLEMENTARY
MINING BUREAU
NOW PLANNED
Plan for the Miners
Convention.

AS the date for the State convention Of
begins next Monday, approaches, new
ideas are appearing in the field and In
creasing the promise of an interesting and
important gathering.
One plan which is being incubated by
several members and which will undoubt-
edly be urged before the convention is
that of enlarging the scope of the work of
the big association in the State and max
ing it a larger and more con-
slant force in the mining field
by establishing permanent headquarters
which shall be more than an Office with a
sign on the door announcing the secre-
tarys s place of business and which shall
be to the mining industry something like
what the State Board of Trade has been
to the interests of agriculture and horti-
culture. Many leading and active mem
bers of the association have long recOg-
niZed the need and opportunity for this.
1t is proposed by some of the enterpris-
ing ones that a bureau be established and
maintained by the association which shall
be first and foremost a bureau of live in
formation concerning the mining industry
in California and also place \at which
mining men of all parts Of the State would
drop in when they come to the city, as
they do daily by the scores. There should
be a reading room and library, supplied
with all the mining and State journals, an
accumulation of the latest mining maps
and works of mining reference, and posi-
bly, the beginning of mining exhibit. 1t
should be ''place for pointers for min
ing men. Secretary BENJAMIN has we'll
suggested that there might be free State
register of practical mining men of all
grades from drill men and mine foremen
to assayers. mine surveyors, etc, which
would instantly supply any employer, at
the associations expense, with the names
and references of men of the kind wanted.
There are almost numberless ways in
which such bureau might be made of
great value to the industry and a credit to
the 5000 members of the booming associa-
ton. Such an institution would supple
ment and not conflict with or detract from
but rather assist the State Mining bureau
appears the possibility of what would be
practically a new and important State in
stitutiOn.
ing bank be made the treasurer this year
The badges which will be worn by the
delegates will be handsome ones consist
ing of a pan, pendant from a crossed pick
and shovel. Secretary benjamin had yes
terday received notice Of the appointment
of 59i delegates, with three counties and.
the Southern California branch vet to
hear from The Governors of six Western
States have reported the appointment Of
delegates. Governor Gage, the entire Cal
ifornia Congressional delegation, David
Starr Jordan and Benjamin Ide Wheeler
are among the eminent men who have re-
ceived invitations to also attend and
speak. The three days session will be q
Niles Sears. e. C. VOORHEES,, F. f.
Thomas and Julian Sonntag are the lead
ing candidates for the presidency since J.
II Neff has declared that this is his last
term. Indications seem to point TO ex-
Senator VOORHEES, election. w. c. Rails
ton who has positively declined to be
candidate for the presidency is being
urged to run, for another term as vice
president, and Charles G. Yale is being
r n. Shoecraft of Nevada County has
been expected to be a rival TO f. H Ben
iamin for the secretaryship, but it Is re-
and so far Benjamin seems to have
waIkover ahead. The convention will this
wear be held in Golden Gate Hall, on Sut-
ter street.