The Alaska prospector., 1905-07-06


 tion in Fl Paso, Texas, November II to Is. 1905. Alaska should be well represented at the congress, as that body stands for many thing that are of interest and for the welfare of all Alaskans.
 The mission of the American Mining Congress is to carry on d thorough business campaign of education in all branches of min ing, and to this end the effort is being made to bring together all classes of people who are directly or indirectly in,cr, stcd in the sue cess of an industry upon which depends the industrial life of the nation, and in all legitimate ways do for the mining industry what "Farmers' Clubs" have done for agriculture, the Commercial Mu- scum" of Philadelphia for the com merce and trade of the United States, and the "Manuiacturers' Association" for American manu- facture; and the congress believes that the quickest, most intelligent and satisfactory way to accomplish this is to bring together, from all sections of the country, as many people as possible, at least once a year at some given point where they can not only have an actual demonstration of the magnitude of mining, but where they can hear discussions upon the subject from distinguished, practical, scientific men.
 This method is not new one, but on the contrary. has been used effectively before. As an example, we have today federal department of agriculture, and, although it was long time before the congress of the United States consented to create this department, we now know its value, and with its worth proven ii would be hard to find a man in America with the temerity to wish, much less ask for its abro- gation. Only two short years ago, after years of constant struggle, a department of commerce and labor was established and although only an infant, we are beginning to realize in a wonderful way its power for good.
 Then why not have department of mines and metallurgy?
 There are questions of great inn portance to Alaska and of special importance to mining men, such as mining laws; relation of mining to the industrial development of the country; statutory protection for mining investors, and many others.
 These questions will be presented and discussed by men of inter- national note, and as the attendance this year should be q large and representative one, it is hoped such action will be taken as will aid very materially in bringing about desirable changes.
 Alaska is largely mining coun- try and it is to our interest to be we'll represented at such an impor- ant gathering.
 The American Mining Congress is the first national organization to recognize Alaska and offer such assistance as they were able to command to enact such laws as would De Denehcial to the people who live within her borders; it is the first and only national organiz- ation to ask the congress of the United States to give us at least one delegate to represent us at the national capital. Alaska has a representative on the Mining Con- gress board of directors, and the only honorary life member is an Alaskan.
 Surely Alaska has no cause to complain of the American Mining Congress, as Alaska was never represented in the congress until last year and then by two delegates only.
 Now let Governor Brady start