Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1904-08-23
MINING CONGRESS-
CONSIDERS PUBLIC LANDS

Portland, Ore. Aug. 23.--The opening
ot the second day of the American Min
ing congress was devoted TO pre-
sentatlon of the purposes Of the conf
mission appointed 10y President Roose-
welt 10 investigate the condition OF pub
lie lands and report 10 the national
congress remedies for existing evils
and suggest reforms I'm the land laws.
+. H. Newell, chief engineer OF the
reclamation service, and clifford Pinch
OFT. forester OF the United States, were
the first speakers. They outlined the
work they are engaged in prosecuting
Their visit to the session Is to gain the
fullest possible information from min
ing men of the conditions I'm country
contiguous TO mining camps through
out the country and learn what modi-
fications in the public land laws are
considered desirable ny those engaged
IN the industry To that end the COM
missioners Of the government will hear
as many OF the delegates as possible
while I'm Portland and invite mining
men throughout the country to COM
municate any statements OF fact that
may have come to their notice IN the
operation Of present laws, conduct Of
forest reserves, together with sugges-
lions as to changes I'm the existing
laws
DR. Il. r. Buckley, state geologIst OF
Missouri, spoke during the forenoon
session, on the functions of the state
geological surveys and bureau OF geo-
ogy and mines. DR. Buckley spoke eX-
temporaneously. handling the subject
i'm a masterful manner
Maurice d. Leehey Of Seattle deliy-
cred an address, on mining laws.
United states mint or government
assay office vias the subject of an adj
dress by Senator John IL. Mitchell of
Oregon
This afternoon the delegates and WIS.,
itors viii be guests Of the citizens OF
Portland for a trip over the city.
There viii be an evening session, at
which Chancellor T.. Benjamin An
drews Of the University Of Nebraska
viii speak on an entirely new and novel
subject to be treated by an eminent
thinker on topics Of the times. His
subject will be THE Promoter, and his
place IN our development The adj
dress viii be delivered IN the Armory,
where the sessions of the congress are
held. and the large seating capacity, II
is expected, VIII be utilized by the pres
ence of many besides delegates and WIS.,
ltors to the congress
The committee on resolutions report
ed tavorably on the resolution intro
duced yesterday by President j. IL.
Richards, for the establishment of q,
department Of mining and metallurgy
by the government The resolution re-
views the information and the work of
the department of agriculture and that
of commerce and labor and presents
many reasons why the mining industry
by reason of Its great influence upon
all other resources and industries and
the Advancement of the country should
receive equal consideration with agri-
culture and other pursuits. The con-
vention unanimously approved the
judgment OF the committee.
+. II. Newell, I'm his address, which
was brief, asked the congress 10 formu-
late for the benefit of the public lands
commission, suggestions as To whether
or not changes are desired IN the law
of apex. The presence Of the commits
sioners here, ne said, was TO gasn ideas
from the delegates as TO what the
miners desired. and the extra lateral
right go called, being one Of greatest
concern to mining operators express
sions are very much desired. "lrrlga-
ton and mining are Intimately relat-
ed. he said. some of the highest irri-
CATION development IN the United
States being located where hydraulic
fumes Of early mining days have been
converted into canals 70 agricultural
and horticultural areas
The law OF 1902 by which the fund
realized from the sale Of lands In I'VE
states. was set aside for reclamation
purposes was explained by Mr. Newell
who furnished interesting data to the
congress regarding the work OF his De-
partment
clifford Pinchot, forester of the Unit
ed states informed the convention that
President Roosevelts idea Is that pub
lie lands should be devoted 90 the best
possible use and the object of the COM
mission is to ascertain what Is the best
purpose to which lands may be devot-
ed. Mr.. Pinchot portrayed In an inter-
estng manner the differences IN the
wishes of the numbering, livestock. and
mining industries with regard to public
lands water rights, etc.