Gilpin observer., 1908-11-19

INC ioieSt service mas Deen 1nVeSt1gat-
ing the individual causes of dissatis-
faction, but the volume of complaint
has not yet been arrested. While in
vestigation discloses exceedingly few
| specific cases in which injustice of any
KIND has been done, it is nevertheless
evident that large number of mining
men are persuaded that there is injus-
t1ce 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 If
the mining men will help. The forest
service is anxious for justifiable CON-
plant. 1t desires the cooperation and
friendship of the mining men, not their
opposition, and 1t is anxious to assist
in every legitimate way in the develop
ment Of the mining industry.
/ Accordingly, l 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 a 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, so that there
shall be no misunderstanding whatever
as 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 CON-
mittee of the American Mining Con-
gress. appointed committee which is
4 known as the forest reserve committee,
composed of A. G. Brownlee, Hon. E. A.
\ Colburn, W. F. r. Mills, William P.
/ Daniel and George ]. Bancroft of Den
yer, Colo
times in connection with the work in
hand. 1t is now engaged in a compila-
ton of the mining laws, and studying
the regulations and instructions of the
United States Department of Agricul-
| ture for the use of the national forests.
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 it 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-
| ton 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-
Z 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, Srd, 4th
and 5th. 1908, at which place Mr.. Pin
chot has promised to send some of the
most liberal and most qualified men
of the forest service to confer with II
in order that n better understanding
between the mining interests and the
forest service may be had, and al
improved service result therefrom.
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| Mabel Quotes Scripture.