Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1905-01-27
JOSEPH BILLS
ARE DOOMED.
Mining Men Decidedly Opposed TO
Measures introduced by Repre-
sentative Harry Joseph.
ALL OF THEM TURNED DOWN
At Meeting Held at Commercial Club
Last Night--CUrtal Bill
Was Endorsed.

The mining bills. Of which Represen-
tatlve Harry s. Joseph is the author
are doomed There Is not the slightest
doubt about that, If the members or
the Legislature are guided by the ac-
ton taken at the representative meet
Ing Of mining men held at the CONNER
cial club rooms last night and which
Was attended by the mining committees
o. both the senate and house, The OPP
position to the Joseph measures was
decidedly pronounced after the bills
had been read. dssected ana discussed
In fact. they were turned down cold,
and Mr.. Joseph was left without sim
gla mining man rallying to his support
The sense Of the meeting was express
Cd In vote taken on each bill consid-
cred. and the result was, in almost ey-
cry case, unanimous against fastening
the proposed laws upon the statute
books, Some characterized the bills as
not only being ridiculous but silly, and
several members OF the legal frater-
nifty. who we're present. declared that It
would be rather strange II such laws
We're enacted that they would prove to
be valid laws.
The bill Of Mr. Joseph, known as Che
mine inspectorship bill and providing
for the creation OF department Of
mines and mining. was not presented.
Il was learned that the author had
withdrawn this bill and that no further
consideration would be given IT, Or
sitIon to this measure was manifested
Immediately after It was introduced,
but MIR. Joseph hardly expected to see
mining men so pronounced in their
Views against his other measures.
one Of the mining bills now being
considered by the legislators, with
slight change, received endorsement.
This one Is known as II. b, No Is, by
Curtain, prohibiting the use of explo-
siyc oils IN coal and hydro-carbon
mines and II will probably be enacted
into a law state Coal Mine Inspector
Conner Thomas gave his views I'm re-
bill by the Legislature would be a good
thing The Inspector said that the
Union Pacific Railroad company had
written him for copies OF the bill that
IL might be brought TO the attention of
the Legislature OF the stae Of WyO-
ming. Mr. Curtain warmly defended
the bill ana said there was need for
such legislation to decrease the dam
ger to men employed In coal mines
Tho first Of the Joseph measures
brought 20 the attention OF the meeting
was II. b. 70, O. which related TO the
taxation Of mines Mr.. Joseph explain
ed that the present law seemed 10 be
ambiguous In many respects and while
the existing statutes provide for the
taxation Of the proceeds Of coal and
metalllferous mines, II appeared to him
that the owners Of salt works had been
overlooked. Thomas Weir was opposed
to placing tax upon the salt men. and
Nentured the statement that the salt
works Of Utah had never realized dol
lar on their investment, and, under
these conditions, he thought IL unjust
to Impose tax upon this Industry. To
DO so, he said, would only tend to in
crease the cost to the consumer. Bank
81. w S. Mccormick and Col. T.. A.
wan also expressed themselves as be-
ING on the side Of the salt men In this
matter MI Joseph undertook 10 show
mat the operation Of the salt plants
was among the causes for the lowering
or the waters Of the Great Salt Lake
a vote taken showed that a matorltv
salt wa y"
Several opposed the clause re.
latng TO the taxation of coal |
mines on the ground that the coal mon |
would only saddle the burden upon the |
producers and goodness knows" said |
one, we are paying enough for orr |
coal now But a vote showed "A ma |
jorlty IN favor OF taxing the net bro.
ceeds Of the coal operator.
The measure known as Il. b. No, &c. |
was thrown down unanimously. Thu |
bill relates to the driving Of tunnels .
or crosscuts across the property Of an
other Tor the purpose of drainage or .
TO render me more economic extrac- 1
ton or ore. At tirst some thought the I
llll had some merit but after II had
dissection, all the friends II
had changed their position. The bIll |
was declared to DE vicious and wouId
only tend TO stir w strife and conten.
ton. &. ). Narian, the attorney. pointed
1ut that In case the owner OF "A group
1t mining claims desires to drive "A uln.
mel through the property Of another.
mere are ways that II can be done,
such matters are subject 10 the laws Of
eminent domain and the courts are EN-
powered TO administer the laws Justly
10 all parties concerned He thought
The existing law far more preferable
ms one before starting any tunnel or
surface passageWay, must first show
The necessary for II and put up bond
AS guarantee against damage 10 the
party whose property is 10 be entered
The Joseph bill. he said would give one
person the power TO enter the prop.
'rty at win. without showing first the
necessity ot a. he thought the bin was
designed To NJ special cases and would
lnly breed trouble He thought 1t was
dangerous 10 do any tinkerlng with
such legislation.
Others spoke in the same strain and
ormer state Senator w. c. Nebeker
said u would be silly 10 place such a
aW upon the statute books Evernrd
}ierer Capt Duncan McVichle, VIII
ard T. Snyder, W. r. James, Charles
I. Rood, Charles Read capt. n Ire
week and others spoke against the
measure Senator simon Hamburger.
Hartman OF the senate committee on