New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-06-20
INTERNATIONAL MINING CONGRESS.
THIRD ANNUAL SESSION IN MILwAUKEE-sUG
GEsTIONs BY PRESIDENT MONTGOMERY.


Milwaukee Wis. June 1s-The third convention
of the International Mining Congress opened at the
Exposition Building this afternoon, and several
hundred delegates representing nearly every min
ing section OF the continent including Alaska and
Canada were in attendance. In connection with
the convention extensive exhibits Of minerals
displayed. B. F. Montgomery, Of Colorado, the
president outlined plan Of permanent organiza-
ton and submitted lines of work for further eff
forts. Colonel Montgomery gave a brief review of
the history of the congress up to the present
sion. discussing in detail its objects and purposes
and recommending permanent organization, to
meet annually.
He reviewed at length the importance Of the
mining interests Of the country, and the advan-
tages to be gained by bringing the East and the
West IN their manifold mining interests. together
well as cultivating more intimate acquaintance
between the investor and the owners of the prop
erty to be invested in, and arguing strongly that
mining a legitimate business entaing no
risk than any other branch OF business If
treated by investors and those developing mines
the principles which banking ner-
chandising. manufacturing. agriculture, etc, were
conducted The current treatment of investors in
mines he said. has created sentiment in the
public mind that mining was more Of a gamble
than a legitimate business. This, ne claimed, was
detrimental 10 the highest and best interests of
the industry Of mining in general
He recommended action looking the thorough
revision Of the Federal mining laws, to the end
controlled exclusively by the laws Of Congress-
and not left to the regulation of enactments OF
statutes by the several States. thus producing
q uniformity OF method of location, size of min
ing claim and annual assessment of work by
which q claim should be peIpetuated until patent
Should issue. Such legislation. he said, should be
based upon the idea Of inducing development of
mineral wealth upon the public domain.
He argued also in favor OF the abolition by act
OF Congress Of what is generally known apex
rights. or the right TO follow vein lode on it's
drift into the land Of adjoining owner and as
a substitute for the apex rights existing an
enlargement OF the location. requiring that each
owner OF claim shall be circumscribed by the
surface lines Of his claim drawn vertically down
ward.
He urged action to induce Congress to pass the
bill 10 create Department of Mines and Mining
IKE that Of the Department Of Agriculture with
Secretary. who should be member OF the Presi-
dents Cabinet. The introduction OF the bill now
pending was the result Of the action Of the Inter
insatlonal Mining Companies at Salt Lake in 1898
nc contended that the Department should not be
ttaaae mere bureau in any other Department, as
y Yves now in the Department Of the Interior, be-
cause then, now, il would be treated as a mat
tteI OF inferior, and not of paramount. impor-
lance 70 the country.
al ne conclusion OF President Montgomery's ad-
Oitss The convention adjourned until tomorrow.