Los Angeles herald., 1908-04-14
u. S. TO ESTABLISH
BUREAU OF MINES
HOUSE COMMITTEE FAV0RS
PROJECT
Work to Be Carried on Under Direc-
ton of Department of Interior.
To Develop and Promote
the Industry
By Associated Press.

By Associated Press
WASHINGTON, April 13.-The house
committee on mines and mining today
agreed to recommend the passage of
a bill drawn by a subcommittee for the
establishment of bureau of mines in
the department of the interior.
BY the terms of this bill it shall be
the province and the duty of the new
bureau to foster. promote and develop
the mining industries of the United
States. to make diligent investigation
of the methods of mining, the safety
of the miners, the possible improve
ment of conditions under which mining
operations are carried on the treatment
Of ores, the use of explosives and cleo
tricity, the prevention of accidents, the
values Of mineral products and the
markets for the same and of other mat
ters important TO said industries, and
from time to time to make such public
reports as the secretary of The interior
may direct of the work, Investigations
and information obtained, with the
recommendation of the bureau"
Provision is made for the govern
ment of the bureau under the secretary
of the interior by a commissioner to
be appointed by the president at an
annual salary of $4,000.
Recommends Legislation
Secretary Garfield, who called at the
White 41ouse today. said that he should
send TO the chairman of the house
committee on public lands tomorrow a
strong recommendation in regard to the
needed legislation affecting coal lands
in the western states and in Alaska.
Senator Foraker today introduced an
amendment to the railroad rate law
passed June 29, 1906, providing that the
commodities clause shall not apply to
properties owned by the roads prior to
the passage of the law The effect
of the amendment will be to permit
railroads to continue to transport
articles mined or manufactured by
them and which they own wholly or
in part If that ownership existed at
the time the rate bill became a law.
II would prevent railroads from aequir-
ing additional mines and transporting
their outputs in the future
President Roosevelt, transmitted to
the senate treaties with Great Britain
In relation to fishery questions on the
Great Lakes and the boundary be-
tween the United States and Canada.
An extradition treaty with Spain also
was sent to the senate.
The senate passed today the bill au-
thorizing the allotment to the Indians
reservation and the sale of the usr-
plus TO white settlers,
The senate bill to increase the eff
cheney of the revenue cutter service
vas today laid before the senate with
amendments made by the house. on
motion Of Senator Frye, the amend
ments were concurred in. The bill in
creases the number of officers and the
salaries, in the revenue cutter service.
Tt lacks only the presidents signature
to make 1t a law.
Conferees on the widows pension bill
reached an agreement today by adopt
ing the bill practically in tho form as
passed by the house. 1t increases from
$S to $12 a month the pensions Of Widows
Of soldiers Of the Mexican, Indian and
Civil wars and will increase the PEN
sion list about S12,000000.
Senator Curtis today introduced n
bill to require corporations organized
under federal or state charters to regis
ter with the department of commerce
and labor and secure a permit there
from before attempting to transact bus
mess in a state or territory other than
that in which 1t is organized.