, 1906-08-30

oendlOT lnOlldS hedTnS OF Uldn, du-
dressed to the editor of the Salt Lake
Tribune and printed in the columns of
that paper on Sunday, will be of inter
est in this state, where mining has
come to be recognized as one of the
most promising industries of the many
of one of the grandest states in the
inter-mountain region.
Senator kearns' Letter.
l wonder If those who attempt to
look into the future and who make
mental pictures contrasting the great
ness OF this country ten or twenty
years to come with its greatness now
have a proper conception Of the import
ant work the mountain states shall ex-
ert in the country's development.
l wonder II our statesmen, our pub
~licists, and those who make n ad-
minister the law, realize the vast in
huence which mineral mining in the
United States has on the country's
commerce. l wonder if congress and
the president have shown that deep
concern for this great industry its COM
mercial Importance and influence de-
serves. l wonder if the people under
stand how much 1t contributes to their
material welfare.
If one reflects on these things the
answer must be in the negative. And
the answer itself should stimulate &C
ton not only in the west, where great
er attention to the latent forces about
us should produce swifter results than
elstwhere, but in the entire business
world.
This Wealth is National Wealth.
1t is not sufficient to say that The
mining industry of the United States
Is the greatest, is the most important,
has the largest capital invested or is
the most progressive, for while these
things are true, it may also be said
the industry is embryonic. The coun-
try's vast mineral resources are yet
untouched. Mountains that yield no
profits or small profits today, under
the touch of modern appliances and
equipment tomorrow will pour forth
great streams of wealth. And this
wealth is national wealth. This de-
velopment is national development.
The product of this field of industry
is the strongest pillar in the country's
commercial structure.
Not the most thoughtful nor the most
enthusiastic mamie who lives among
the mines and witnesses the tremen-
dous work already being accomplished
in the west-can understand the i'm.
portance of all this on the country at
large. He sees cities builded with this
wealth. He realizes that hundreds of
thousands are daily employed il the
expanding of the industry. He knows
what local influence is exerted, but its
effect on the of the country
generally he does not conceive because
it is inconceivable.
A Department of Mines.
There vas u%ndisputed cause for re-
cognition by the government of agri-
cultural and other industrial forces in
the establishing of national bureaus
and in the appointment of cabinet Off
Gals to represent them. Is there less
reason for giving federal encourage
ment to mines and to mineral develop
ment?
The government of the United States
should not only speedily establish a
department of mines which shall aid
and direct in proper manner this in
dustry's development, but care should
be taken that at least one member of
the court of last resort be sufficiently
trained in mining law and in the no
menclature of mines to properly under
stand the i~ntricacies of mining litiga-
ton. The Importance of this is well
known to mining lawyers and to min
ing men. So often do rights to vast
properties depend on the Interpretation
of a word or of an expression that the
most learned Justice is apt to err,
much more him whose training and
whose personal observation have not
fitted him for this work.
Duty of Western Members.
The neX few years will witness min
ing litigation of such tremendous i'm
portance that it would seem to be not
only a p%ropriety but almost obligatory
that members of congress from the
west bring this matter to the attention
of the president.
Very shortly a vacancy is to occur
on the United States supreme bench.
As at present constituted no member
has had training in mining law. The
vast territory most vastly interested
is unrepresented. 1 recognize the wis
dom of the presidents in d~isregarding
| geographical line in the appointment
of members of the United States SUI
lpreme court, the eminent fitness and
integrity of the members governing
the election, but the very nature of
things now suggests, it seems, the call