The Elk Mountain pilot., 1908-11-26
THE FOREST SERVICE And
The MIhlN6 INDUSTRY

The following copy of q letter ad-
dressed by Mr.. Clifford Pinchot Of the
United States forest service. to Presi-
dent J. H. Richards of the American
Mining Congress relative to complaints
with regard to mining claims on the
national forests is self-explanatory, and
will be read with considerable interest
by prospectors and mine operators
throughout the country:
United States Department of Agricul-
ture. Forest Service. Washington.
Oct. 10, 1908.
Hon. J. H. Richards. President Ameri-
can Mining Congress. Boise. Idaho.
My Dear Judge Richards:--A variety
Of complaints have reached me In the
last two months with regard to mining
claims on national forests.
As fast as 1t was possible to DO so
the forest service has been investigat-
ing the individual causes of dissatis-
faction. but the volume of complaint
has not yet been arrested. While In
vestigation discloses exceedingly few
kind has been done, 1t is nevertheless
evident that a large number of mining
men are persuaded that there IL injus-
tice in fact. and that undue hardships
have been imposed upon men engaged
in prospecting and developing mines.
More than rs per cent. Of the claims
examined during the past year were
reported favorably. and we have en-
deavored to carry out the law and our
orders intelligently and fairly. But
doubtless Improvement can be made II
the mining men VIII help. The forest
service is anxious for justifiabie com
plant. 1t desires the cooperation and
friendship OF the mining men, not their
opposition, and it In anxious to assist
in every legitimate way in the develop
ment Of the mining industry.
Accordingly. I write to ask whether
the American Mining Congress.
through you as its president. or by the
action OF the executive committee, will
appoint In the immediate future q COM
mittee OF three or five representatives.
as you may deem best. to cooperate
with the forest service In an effort to
reach \ mutual agreement. both as to
the rules which should govern the for
est service, under the law in dealing
with mineral questions on national for
ests. and as to the definition and inter
probation OF these rules. 80 that there
shall be no misunderstanding whatever
ax to what is Just and right for both
parties in the premises.
Very sincerely yours.
(Signed) CLIFFORD PINCHOT.
Forester.
In compliance with the request con-
tanned in the letter quoted, President
Richards. through the executive COM
mittee Of the American Mining Con-
gress. appointed a committee which is
known ms the forest reserve committee.
composed Of A. G. Brownlee. Hon. E. A..
Colburn. W. F. II. Mills. William P.
Daniel and George J. Bancroft OF Den
yer. Colo.
This committee has met several
times in connection with the work in
hand. II is now engaged In a compila-
tion Of the mining laws. and studying
the regulations and instructions Of the
United States Department Of Agricul-
/
At this time the committee recog-
nIzes the necessity of securing full and
complete statements OF facts In spe-
cific cases where the regulations or
the spirit OF their enforcement by the
| forest service are alleged to have
worked undue hardships or Injustice
upon men engaged in discovering. de-
veloping or operating mines. To this
end, It invites the presentation in
writing OF all such statements of facts
wherein 1t may be shown that the reg
ulations, rulings or instructions OF the
forest service has in any way inter-
fered with the prosecution OF legiti-
mate prospecting, mining or the reduc-
tion OF ore.
Specific cases involving the use OF
timber, the mineralized character of
claims located, rights Of way over ma
tional forests for all mining purposes.
together with the use of storage Of
waters for power purposes or domestic
use in connection with the mining op-
erations OF isolated claims, groups of
claims. or affecting the economic prob
lem Of improved service throughout
mining districts or territories will be
considered by the committee upon a
presentation of facts In the premises.
All such statements should be ad-
dressed to the forest reserve commit
tee. American Mining Congress, 1910
Court place. Denver. Colo. They will
be regarded as strictly confidential by
the committee II SO desired by the per-
sons sending them.
The committee expects to attend the
eleventh annual session OF the Ameri-
can Mining Congress, to be held at
Pittsburg, Pa. December End, 3rd. 4th
md 5th, 1908, at which place Mr.. Pin