Gilpin observer., 1905-12-28
Proposed Mining Department.

sented to Congress by Congressman c.
ID. Van Duser of Nevada:
Be 1t enacted by the Senate and
House of Representatives of the United
States Of America In Congress assem-
bled, that there shall hesat the seat of
government an executive department
to be known as the Department Of
Mines and Mining, and secretary Of
mines and mining at the head thereof,
who shall be appointed by the Presi-
dent, by and with the advice and coll
sent of the Senate, who shall have
seat in the Cabinet, and who shall re-
ceive salary of $4,000 per annum;
and section 15S of the Revised Stat
utes is hereby amended to include such
department. and the provisions of title
four of the Revised Statutes, including
all amendments thereto are hereby
made applicable to the said depart
ment.
Sec. 2. That there shall be in said
department an assistant secretary of
mines and mining, to be appointed by
the President by and with the advice
and consent of the Senate, who shall
receive salary of 81 900 per annum.
He shall perform such duties as shall
be prescribed by the secretary and re-
iuiICu Wy law lHtEt Stdil ,iiSO Dc dp-
pointed by said secretary one chief
clerk, who shall receive Il salary of ST..
500 per annum and such other clerical
assistance as may from time to time be
authorized by Congress.
Sec. >. That the said Department of
Mines and Mining shall have general
jurisdiction over all matters pertaining
to mines and mining Industries and the
Geological Survey and over all matters
committed To any of the bureaus OF
fees, departments OF branches of tle
public service by this act transferred
from other executive departments OF
lue government TO the said Depart.
ment of Mines and Mining as fully as
the same is now possessed by any OF
the said bureaus, Offices, departme nts,
or branches of the public so-;'ice from
whence the same is transferred. and that
the official records and papers now ON
file in and relating 10 the business of
any such bureau. Office. department. or
branch of the public service In this act
transferred to the Department OF
Mines and Mining, together with tho
furniture now in use in such bureau.
office. department. or branch of the
public service, snail be, and is hereby.
transferred to the Department of
Mines and Mining.
Sec. i. That ,hs"e shall be in the
Department OF Mines and Mining /, bu-
reau which shall, under the direction
of the secretary thereof, gather, COM
pile and publish information in respect
TO the same. and II shall be the duty
of .Iid bureau to acquire and dissent
Eate practical and useful information
concerning the mines, mineral re-
sources and mining industries of the
United States; that the Office of the
director OF the Geological Survey and
The Geological Survey service. and all
hat relates TO and pertains to the
same. is hereby transferred from the
jurisdiction of the Interior Department
to the jurisdiction and supervision of
the Department of Mines and Mining.
to remain benceforth under the juris
diction OF the latter; and the director
of the Geological Survey is hereby
Eiade the director of said bureau
Sec. 3. Plat the secretary of mines
and mining shall annually make re-
port in writing TO Congress. which
shall contain an account Of all moneys
received and expended by him in pro-
noting and facilitating the develop
mcnt of American mines, mineral re-
sources. and mining industries. and
deem necessary TO the further devel-
opment of the same. He shall also
make special investigations and re-
ports on particular subjects whenever
required to dc so by either the Presi-
dent, the Senate, or ,ne House of Rep
rcsentatives.
See. q. That the secretary of mines
and mining shall have charge in the
buildings or premises occupied by or
appropriated to the Department OF
Mines and Mining, of the library. fur
uiture, fixtures. records and other
property pertaining to it, or hereafter
acquired for use in its business; ana
he shall be allowed TO expend for perl
odicals and the purposes of the IL
brary, and for the rental of appropri-
ate quarters for the accommodation OF
the Department of Mines and Mining
within the District of Columbia. and
for all other incidental expenses such
sums as Congress may provide from
time to time; Provided. -however. that
where any bureau proposed to be
transferred 10 the Department OF
Mines and Mining by this act Is occu'
pying rented buildings or premises
they may still continue to do so until
other suitable quarters are provided
for their use. And provided further.
that all officers, clerks and employees
now employed in any of the bureaus.
Offices, departments or branches OF the
public service In this act transferred
to the Department Of Mines and Min
ing are each and all hereby trans
ferred to said department at their pres
ent grades and salaries. except where
otherwise provided In this act, until
otherwise provided by law; and, pro
vided further. that all laws prescribing
the work and defining the duties of the
several bureaus, Offices, department. or
branches of the public service by this
act transferred to and made n part OF
the Department of Mines and Mining