Los Angeles herald., 1907-09-28
VI I1|i||! ;|!sl;';g[2
CHAMBER OFMZNES
REPORTS PROGRESS
RIDs FIELD OF FRAUDULENT
OPERATORS
Is Making Strenuous Efforts to Bring
to Los Angeles 1908 Convention
of American Mining
Congress

John r. Mathews president of the Los Ange-
les chamber of mines, has Just made a report
which tells of the aims and progress of that
important body. Below are given excerpts
which are of public interest:
"a very noticeable change has taken place
in the ranks of those engaged in fraudulent
mining operations 1t being very apparent that
their aggressiveness has received consider
able check since the advent of the chamber Of
mines and that a great number of them have
left for other parts. The moral effect alone
of the existence OF our organization has been
of most beneficial nature but we are supple
menting this with work of kind that will
ultimately result in thorough cleansing OF
the business, and in its being placed upon
purer basis.
ALREADY the work of our committee on pc
troleum products has been Of benefit to the oil
interests inasmuch as due entirely to its
efforts with the geological department at
Washington, sixteen townships have recently
been withdrawn from homestead and scrip en-
try in the Coalinga field.
'Steps are now being taken to bring to Los
Angeles the 1908 convention Of the American
mining congress. If we succeed in having
that session here it will mean a great deal
for Los Angeles turning as 1t will the eyes
of the mining world upon our city. The min
ing congress has, among other worthy OBJ
jects. that of creating department of mines
dents cabinet at its head In view OF the inn
portance of the chambers in securing
the congress for 1908, the cooperation of all
Of its members in this direction is urged.
Another important feature which is now
receiving the attention of the directors is that
OF having a permanent exhibit in this city of
mining machinery and supplies, including all
articles for which there is sale In the mining
districts. II is possible that this may be ar
ranged by our securing a large exhibition hall
and having the exhibitors pay small rental
for space occupied by their displays.
lone of the most important departments OF
the chamber is that of answering inquiries re-
ceived from all parts of the country. The
secretary states that this feature alone. show
ing how widely known the chamber has be-
come as a sort OF information bureau. causes
great deal of letter writing and interview
ing at his office-a work which is rapidly be-
coming more and more important
''The membership OF the chamber at this
writing numbers nearly 4b0, consisting OF rep
resentative business men, firms and corpora
tions of Los Angeles, and prominent mining
men in the outlying districts
"Our members will kindly bear In mind the
objects of this organization. which are to en-
courage legitimate mining. protect the investor
and promote healthy and cordial relations be-
tween the merchants and the mine owners.
There is no desire on the part OF the chamber
for financial gain beyond the point of meeting
its necessary expenses OF maintenance. as no
officer director or member is directly or in
directly interested in 1t for Individual profit;
the only salaries or remuneration Of any kind
paid being for the secretary and his assist
ants"