The San Francisco call., 1904-12-10

present week viii receive the earnest
attention of the entire State in the
near future.
Hydraulic mining was given the
hrst place in discussion and the inter-
est that was manifested in having that
branch Of mineral activity once more
operative was manifested by the me-
mortal that, at the suggestion of Pro-
lessor Christy Of the University of
california, was sent to President
Roosevelt
A resolution referring TO dams, in
addition TO the restraining works on
the Nuba River, was adopted by the
convention. In the routine reports Of
the proceedings of the annual conven-
ton OF the miners there was not room
for detailed accounts of the recon-
mendauOns Of the important commit
tees Of the Miners Association.
The committee on dams, in addition
TO the recommendations that IL made
through A. Caminetti, its chairman,
reviewed the Yuba situation and in de-
tail reported what is considered by
the miners 10 be needed in certain di-
recrOns.
To complete the record and TO give
the people Of the State a comprehen-
sIve and accurate idea of the facts
some extracts are given this morning
from the reports of the committee on
dams and the committee on legisla-
rOn- The report Of the legislation
committee was made by John +.
Davis, who has headed this commit
tee for term Of years.
Mr. Caminetti reviewed, as a pre-
hminary, the statements about the
~ crks on the Yuba River that ap-
peared over the signature of Captain
Harts of the United States Corps of
Engineers in the Scientific American.
Then Mr.. Caminetu reported in part
as follows:
We have taken the privilege OF quoting lib
orally from this article because II emanates
tr1n an Official source and was written By an
.le=~ Cf distinguished attainments who has
curing his service. given the subject matter
thorough ipvestigation.
II is comforting 70 know from such authority
now THAI one OF the important stages OF the
work OF construction OF said project is COM
Tlete6. that the view often expressed, even by
some hydraulic miners, that such miners have
notling 70 hope Tor IN the completion OF the
project. IS without foundation.
The plain statements that the plan contem-
plates The storage OF the enormous quantity
Ct material already in the river bed as well
as preventing the further addition TO this
amount By holding back such as may in the
future be carried down that practically all
the coarser material brought into the AuDa
l.lFer NlA be held by tne upper barriers, >
that All the finer material during most OF the
year VIII be carried into settling basins. where
t Hl be lmpounoeo ana thaJ nere W. De
ample room for many years for the storage
ot mining oetrltus, certainly re1er 10 aeprls
other than that now lodged in the river bed
This conclusion is inevitable when we take
into consideration the immense storage area
covered by the project, not only Tor coarse
material but also for the finer well. This
Is strengthened by the suggestion that more
barriers above those now proposed be con-
structed and more room FOR settling pools TO
deposit the fine material exists. thus afiording
greater storage area, should II be required
SEEKING MORE DAMS.
our energies should now be directed toward
securing necessary appropriations from the
state and National governments for the pur-
pose OF constructing the dams conteInpiatea
Daeuerre Point and the dams and restraining
barriers in the Bear, American. Consumes,
lIolzeluu1ne. CalaVeras and Stanislans river
systems. together with those on such streams
Weber Creek IN Fl Dorado county ana
SIt-er Creek in Ama6or County, all Of which
have received The same attention from the en-
gin=er officers and the law as that given 70
the Huha system above Marysvihe:
The act Of 1893 has specially adopted the
rlaus Ser forth IN the ''Aendeu Report OF
lss2 and In the ''Biggs Commission Report,
tcr All these rivers ana lnelr respectlNt ~ ~u-Du-
raries and n-sde the sanae. the basis OF opera
riCn En- The future administration OF the powers
Caulorn.a can prohtably appropriate a rea-
eonable SUM OF money with the object OF build
irg some of these dams. lnaetenoeht o. any
action by the Unlted states. just as II Is DONG
now fer river Improvement purposes, notWlth-
standing that the National Government IS en-
saeed in like operations such impo1nding
systems as those proposed LOT MepDer SIseh, sEt
Su-rer Creek and elsev here, the COST OF NaSh
of which Is com paratively small could De
constructed b. the State with good results 10
ms conmittee strongly recommends that
this association urge Congress ana the lSegis-
ier--e ia this state - Jointly appropriate
s. 10000 70 be expended in the building OF
tht frz- section of each OF the dams ano re-
strainllg barriers proposed ~ ssia 10 f,,e tSL@ =
sum of s150.oOo TO be expended by the Cah- C
frruia Debris Commission for the consIruGllon ZION
G. smaller storage dams. such as those above
referred 10 and forming part OF the eenefa1
plans set ont in said reports.
We further recommend that our executive
ro--rlfrfee take Up for consideration the for
nation OF a general and comprehensive plan
5fgIi+s-s,g -. - hvsraslic mining and urge con
e5ersfior thereof by Congress and the Legis-
sLo-lS n become necessary, il be empowered
q select competent engineers TO prepare the
ssme ,.. .... -
NOT ho condemned for private uses II has been
difficult and at times impossible Tor mine
s15s 9nsTz eDsas el cagl-sion S5n 70 Secure suit
able sites for storage Of debris
PROPOSE NEW POWERS.
The California Debris Commission should be
clothed with authority. under the law, 10 pro-
cee6 ID Obtain by purchase # feasible. If not,
then by condemnation proceedings Ia court
OF competent jurisdiction IN the name OF ana
for fhe benefit Of the United States, tuie lands,
swamp lands. sloughs, channels. water courses
and LAND for storage sites for debris or water;
ing works barriers; sites for settling reser-
voirs: rights OF way for canals. roads sno
prosecution OF construction Of work contem-
plated by the act creating the commission,
either FOR permanent improvement OF lhe nav
igable waters OF the Sacramento and San
Joaquin River systems or for the protec-
tion thereof against the encroachment OF and
damage from debris resulting from mining
operations natural erosion or other causes,
or for the construction OF any OF the WORKS
required necessary 10 comply with the terms
OF any order granted by said commission on
an application thereto for permission 70 work
mining lands by the hydraulic process.
II Is within the power OF the National Gov
ernment the cOnservator Of navigable IN
terests and conditions Of said river systems
20 exercise the right Of eminent domain in
any manner which VIII tend 20 protect such
navigable interests and conditions
Whenever lands condemned for the pur-
pose OF enabling any mine owner owners
20 comply with the terms Of the commissions
license 70 mine all expenses and costs Of such
proceeding including purchase price, should
be borne By the mine owner or owners
AS the conclusion Of the report Of
the committee on dams the following
statement was made:
IN conclusion, the committee is Of the opin-