Gilpin observer., 1904-08-25
MINERS DEBATE
At THE PORTLAND CONGRESS-

At THE PORTLAND CONGRESS
Place Of the Promoter.-Use Of the
Public Lands.-law Of Apex.-
Fraudulent Mining Schemes.
Forest Preservation.
Portland, Aug. 24.-Six of the i'm
portant addresses on the program of
the Mining Congress were heard yes
night a large audience greeted f.
Benjamin Andrews. chancellor Of the
University of Nebraska. to hear his
address on 1.-The Promoter; His Place
in Our Development"
Chancellor Andrews presented in a
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-
gress in fields other than mining.
The forenoon session was taken up
with the address of United States
Senator John B. Mitchell on Govern
ment Branch Mint or Assay Once;
Maurice D. Leehy of Seattle, Washing
ton, on Mining Law" and the extern
poraneous addresses of F. H. 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-
lized with the greatest good to the
greatest number.
They outlined the work they are en-
gagged in prosecuting. Their visit to
the session is to gain the fullest possi-
h1o inform Of tinu from uoiuinp mon Of
the conditions in the country contigu-
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 to
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. H. Newell, in his address, asked
the congress to formulate for the bene-
fit of the public lands commission sug-
gestions 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 Roosevelt'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. Rickard. editor of the Mining
and Engineering Journal, and one OF
the delegates-at-large appointed by
President Roosevelt, as follows:
Whereas, this congress earnestly
desires to see the business of mining
placed on a sound basis; therefore be it
Resolved, that this congress record
it's appreciation of all successful efforts
of the Postoffice Department of the ma
tional government in preventing the
misuse of The mails for fraudulent min
ing schemes"
A resolution was adopted making se-
.T I<,,,u
special order for Thursday afternoon at
o'clock.
The following resolution was adopt
ed at the night session.
Resolved, that the American Mining
Congress heartily favors the conserva-
tive uses of forest resources, whether in
public or private lands, and in particu-
lar the creation and management of
forest reserves under practical, busi-
nesslike rules and regulations, to the
end that local timber supplies may be
maintained for mining and other uses:
Resolved, that in the interest of the
mining industry, to which timber and
water alike are essential. the care and
management of all government forest
reserves. except as to titles. should be
transferred from the General Land Of
fee to the United States Department
of Agriculture. in accordance with the
recommendations of the President, the
secretary of the interior and the COM
missioner of the General Land Office"
At the conclusion OF the afternoon
session the delegates visited the Lewis
and Clark Fair site and made a trip
over the Tramway lines of Portland.
travelling over the most interesting sec
tions of the city.