Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1906-07-06
IN PERMANENT
HEADQUARTERS
PLAN THAT WILL EXTEND USE
FULNESS OF THE MINING
CONGRESS.

The amendments recently adopted
by the American Mining Congress
mark the beginning of new era for
that organization. Heretofore its work
has consisted almost entirely OF hold
ing it's annual session, at which mat
tiers of importance were discussed AMI
resolutions adopted embOdying the
concensus of opinion, through the In,
fiuence of which a number of reforms
have been accomplished. With the
creation of permanent headquarters
at Denver the work of the congress |
was enlarged and plans were made
for the creation of permanent eX-
hibit of commercial ores of the whole
country, complete mining library, a
laboratory for qualitative analyses, a
bureau of information on all subjects
in connection with mining. and COM
pact organization through which the
problems of mining might be solved
all these so planned as to be prac-
teal school of mining in which the
practical mining man could find So
luton of particular problems and the
novice attracted TO the mining bust
ness by the princey success OF Cam
pion, Stratton. Newhouse. Walsh and
others could here gain that knowledge
common to all men in close touch
with the mining business. the lack of
which is responsible for so many fail
ures in the mining world Ii is also
planned to furnish some information
to intending investors as would serve
to guard them against palpable frauds.
and place mining on an investment
rather than a speculative basis.
Amendments in Effect.
These plans could not be carried on,
without considerable expense, and the
provision made for the expense of an
annual convention only was found to
be entirely inadequate. Again it was
found that the fixing of permanent
headquarters at Denver created the
impression that the Mining Congress
was liable to become a Denver organ
ization rather than serve the broad
purpose of a national institution with
which the mining men from every sec
ton of the country could cooperate
and to which all could turn for assist
ance in the solution of those prob
lens which require united action ant
which are of general interest. Anothe
weakness of the old plan lay in tn
fact that the directors. necessaril.
widely separated and busy men coul
not hold frequent meetings and tn
responsibility of decision of man
matters of importance must of neces
sity be left to the secretary.
These problems have been met b
the recent amendments providing fC
an executive committee with powe
to act in the interim between NEE
ings of the directors. and for the il
crease of the annual dues from $2.o
to $1,000, which is believed TO b
sufficient to meet the necessary e,
penses; not SO high as to prohibit tn
UlSlll Vel sup VI any iVpueopiC
man and yet high enough to keep o,
unworthy men.
The third objection was met by a
amendment TO the bylaws which liz
its the power of any one state to CO.
troll the organization. Under tn
clause Colorado with one thousar
members would have no greater il
fuence in the selection of the COVER
ing body than Oregon, Washingtc
and Idaho with thirty members pre-
ent at any annual meeting. That tn
amendment should have been passe
by the unanimous vote of the ColOrat
members present at the recent NEE
ing of members indicates the desil
on their part TO foster national O
ganization on broad comprenensi'
lines.
1t is believed that the beginning
new era for the American Mini
Congress was marked by the rece
changes in its bylaws, and that Il
organization is now upon a has
which will commend it to the judgme
Of all mining men who realize the i
portance of cooperation in effecti
a solution of the many problems of c
production.