The St. Louis Republic., 1903-03-15
New Organization in British Co.
lumbia Adopts Plan to
Secure Reforms.
SIGNAL CODE TO BE AMENDED.
Men Petition the Establishment of
Separate Portfolio at Ottawa
TO Assist in Development
of Mineral Resources.

REPUBLIC SPECIAL.
San Francisco. March 1.-THE snow IS
deep in the California mountains and the
water supply for the season looks well.
The miners Of British Columbia have or
ganized an association based upon the
model furnished by the California Miners
Association. The force Of men working on
the Comstock lode has been increased.
These are some OF the leading topics of the
time that concern the miners of the Pacific
Coast.
Some time ago attention was called to the
efforts of the people OF British Columbia to
organize for the benefit Of their mining in
dustries. The British Columbia papers say
that the new association came Into eS-
istence through the suggestion of ]. Z. Hob
son. manager of the Consolidated Carlboo
Hydraulic Mining Company, who was for
merly a member Of the California Miners
Association. The movement was favored by
the Atlin miners.
Among the practical measures adopted by
the British Columbia association at the out
set were recommendation for the estab-
lishnent of a separate portfolio of mines at
Ottawa to assist in the development OF the
mineral resources of the Dominion, and q
resolution calling upon the Government to
discontinue the collection of dues for tim
bers and cordwood cut and used by the
owner upon his own mines and mineral
claims for mining purposes.
In the discussion concerning the last mat
ter some of the miners spoke with consid-
cradle earnestness, denouncing the collec-
tion of the timber dues as unjust and as
something that the Government had no
right to do under section 2S of the mineral
act.
An odd feature of the matter was pre-
sented by one speaker. who said that while
placer mines are now compelled to pay tim
Der dues the mines could no. be developed
without first cutting off the timber. On the
Cariboo Hydraulic Mining Company's prop
critics for instance. there were seventy
acres of timber that had been cut. If a
board was taken for building TO con-
Thousand feet must be paid.
resolution In opposition to the code of
mine signals In use was voted down. but
the convention decided to ask the Govern
ment to obtain all possible information with
the purpose in view Of amending the signal
code
granted mineral lands that are sold for
taxes should have the same right to redeem
as is accorded to owners OF all other crown
granted lands that are similarly sold: that
the law should be so amended that failure
TO keep up free miners certificate shall
not work forfeiture Of the rights acquired
under 1t; that for , the purpose Of taxation
placed In the same position as other mineral
claims, and that the exemption from the
tax imposed by the mineral act should be
extended to all groups Of Growing granted
claims where the assessment work has been
performed on one claim for the whole
group.
The association will be known as the Pro-
yinciel Mining Association OF British CO.
lumbia. The Executive Committee which
Is the controlling body. is made up OF twen-
the following classes:
Prospectors. mine workers and smelter
workers.
Mine operators and owners.
Smelter owners and manngers
Business and professional men.
Farmers and ranchers