The Grit-advocate., 1904-08-26
MINERS DEBATE
At THE PORTLAND CONGRESS
Place Of the Promoter.-Use of the
Public lands.-taw Of Apex
Fraudulent Mining Schemes.
Forest Preservation.

Forest Preservation.
| Portland Aug. 24.-Six OF the i'm
portant addresses on the program of
the Mining Congress were heard YES
terday by the delegates and last
nigh. large audience greeted T.
Benjamin Andrews. chancellor of the
University of Nebraska, to hear his
address on The Promoter; His Place
in Our Development.
Chancellor Andrews presented in
most interesting manner the promot-
er as having been responsible for
much OF the best mining development
of the past generation. as well as pro-
sress in fields other than mining
The forenoon session was taken mp
with the address of United States
Senator John b. Mitchell on Govern
ment Branch Mint or Assay Omce"
Maurice d. Leehy of Seattle. Washing
ton. on Mining Law and the extern
poraneous addresses OF F. II. Newell
and Clifford Pinchot. members OF the
public lands commission, acquainting
the delegates with the purpose of the
| commission to learn the industries by
which the public domain may be util-
| lied with the greatest good to the
| greatest number.
They outlined the work they are en-
gagged in prosecuting. Their visit 10
the session is to gain the fullest posi-
bic information from mining men OF
| the conditions in the country contgu-
Gus to mining camps and learn what
notifications in the public land laws
are considered desirable.
| To that end the commissioners OF the
government will hear as many OF the
delegates as possible while in Portland.
and invite mining men throughout the
country to communicate any state
ments of fact that may have come 10
their notice in the operation OF pres
ent laws, conduct of forest reserves,
! etc. together with suggestions as TO
changes in the existing laws.
f. II. Newell, in his address. asked
the congress to formulate for the hene-
fit OF the public lands commission sug-
gesti0ns as to whether or not changes
are desired in the law of apex. The
presence of the commissioners here he
said. was to gain ideas from the dele
gates as to what the miners desired,
and the eXtra-lateral right, so-called.
being one of greatest concern to min
ing operators, expressions are much
desired.
Irrigation and mining are intimately
related" he said. Some of the highest
irrigation development in the United
States is located where hydraulic
fumes OF early mining days have been
converted into canals for agricultural
and horticultural areas"
Clifford Pinchot, forester of the
United States. informed the convention
that President Rocsevelt's idea is that
public lands should be devoted to the
best possible use and the object OF the
commission is to ascertain what is the
best purpose to which lands may be de-
voted Mr. Pinchott portrayed in an
interesting way the difference in the
wishes of the numbering, live stock and
mining industries with regard to pub
lie lands. water rights. etc.
A resolution upon the action of the
Postoffice Department was introduced
by T. A. Richard editor Of the Miaine
and Engineering Journal. and ore Of
the delegates s-at-large appointed b!
President Roosevelt. as follows:
Whereas. this congress earnestly
desires to see the business of mining
placed on sound basis: therefore be il
Resolved that this congress recort
its appreciation of all successful effort:
of the Postoffice Department of the ma
tional government in preventing th'
misuse of the mails for fraudulent min
ing schemes"
A resolution was adopted making Sc
lection of permanent headquarters ;
. special order for Thursday afternoon a
O'clock
! The following resolution was adopt
ed at the night session.
, Resolved. that the American Minin!
Congress heartily favors the conserya
tive uses of forest resources whether il
public or private lands, and in paIticu
lar the creation and management o
: forest reserves under practical. busi
= nesslike rules and regulations. TO tn
l end that local timber supplies may b
l ! maintained for mining and other uses
l Resolved. that in the interest OF tn
/ mining industry. to which timber ant
water alike are essential. the care an
e management OF all government fores
i reserves, except as to titles. should b
transferred from the General Land OF
= flee to the United States Department
: of Agriculture. in accordance with tn
4 recommendations of the President. til
e secretary of the interior and the com
l., missioner of the General Land Office.
: At the conclusion of the afternoo
n session the delegates visited the Levi
|. and Clark Fair site and made a tri
$ over the Tramway lines Of Portland
g travelling over the most interesting sec
tions of the city.