Bisbee daily review., 1905-08-19
Pleads for Mining Department


 The forenoon s1ssion of the con
 gress was devoted to addresses Among the speakers was J. M. Rich ards. president of the American Mining | Icongress. Following will be found a i synopsis of his address:
 | Should congress create a depart ment of mines or mining coordinate with the department of agriculture? All will agree that if such a depart inert is necessary, to enable our gov ernment to meet the full measure of its responsibility to the American peo- pie then such a department should be l created otherwise not.
 Tn presenting my views or this i'm portant topic. it is not a question with me as to what we owe to mining, but rather what does our government owe to the American. people? Not merely in restraining them from injuring one another. but in aiding them to help one another by harmonious positive, rather than a discordant negative course
 There are at least four great de partments in the industrial develop ment of our country's resources, viz; agriculture. mining, manufacturing and transportation. that should be united in purpose from a government standpoint With these departments harmonized by wise direction, not by restraining evil tendencies, there seems to be no limitation to Americas capacity to achieve and her people to enjoy
 q believe the great mining industry can be uplifted and the American peo- pie thereby blessed by a mining de partmert on as great a scale as the agriculture department.
 Why have a department than bu- reau? Because my conception of the purpose of our government is to lay an industrial foundation in this country broad enough to sustain the possible development of the combined mater ial and intellectual possibilities of this most favored land. This cannot be done by the red tape of a bureau; but only by the grasp of Americas great est statesmen. who alone are worthy of standing at the head of so great an opportunity. This great responsibility should be presided over by one pos sessing original authority, power to| originate through suggestion and exc cution.
 T believe as firmly as I believe in my country and its destiny, that de- partment of mining would bring to the prCspectOr, the forerunner of promise. and the miner, that scientific informa- tion concerning mineral formations, character of various ores and their proper treatment, to convert them in- to a condition of usefulness, that would return to the American people a far richer legacy than the depart ment of agriculture is bringing and vii bring. A new impetus and dignity would be given to mining through such a department, and wholesome ef- feet of which would stimulate all in- dustry.
 Therefore. to my mind. the crea- ton of a federal department of mining by congress rests on service to the American people by our government. That which will equip our government to wisely direct the industrial life of the American people in harmony with the fundamental political principles underlying our national existence, will of necessity, energiZe our national vi tality, encourage legitimate human en- deavor. discourage our one great in ternal foe. dishonesty in high places, stimulate individual and cooperative industry, inspire us with 9 greater un- ity of purpose as a people. strengthen our grasp on that which is best, and thereby wTest from our opportunities and enduring results that are legiti- mately possible This departmnt would enable the people of this country to clasp with a friendly hand that which is the backbone of Americas most en- ergizing and enduring source of mater ial wealth and the spinal column of our industrial life, mining.@