The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1909-04-18
FORESTRY VS.. MINING.

lt Is encouraging TO see tnaJ inc IOr-
estry service is becoming more rea-
sonable in its interference with mining
operations on the so~called forest re-
serves (in fact, grazing pasturage for
the most part), and is disposed to give
a relief to the mining operations in
those reserves that, as from the inter
ference Of the forestry officials, has so
long been subject Of complaint.
A recent circular received from the
American Mining Congress at Denver
reads as follows:
III order TO facilitate the work OF hand =
ling the numerous complaints concerning
the administration of the national forests,
which are being received from all over
the west by tho forest service committee
Of the American Mining Congress, 1t has
been decided by the Directors Of the Min
ing Congress 10 appoint a local commit
tee in each State to receive complaints
arising from this source, make investi-
cation OF the same and act In conjunction
with the general committee in securing
relief.
In order that wise selections may be
made. the local vice presidents Of the
congress have been asked TO suggest the
names of the members of the committee
for each State While the Mining Con-
gress faYors a wise conservation Of our
dustry has pioneered all western devel-
opment, and that any policy which mate
rally interferes with the further develop
ment Of mining or with the work of the
prospector is not for the best interest OF
the West. In all cases where an invesu
cation shows that mining is being. re-
ing Congress will exert every influence
TO get a just settlement Chief Pinchot
of the Forestry Bureau has signified TO
the forestry committee his Willingness to
civ fp these
plants. and an official decision is ex-
pected within a few days, making sub
Stantial concessions as result OF the re-
quests made by the committee at the
recent Denver conference.
Two points are made clear by this
circular: First, that the administration
Of the National forests have led to
numerous complaints Of interference
with mining operations. In consequence
of these complaints, the directors Of
tho Mining Congress have appointed a
local committee in each State to re-
ceive complaints arising from this
source, investigate the same, and then
take measures for relief. In cases
where it is shown that mining is being
restricted by unnecessary rules, the
fuence to get satisfactory settle
ment.
Second, that Chief Clifford Pinchot of
the Forestry Bureau has conveyed TO
the forestry committee Of the Mining
Congress his willingness to give per-
sonal consideration to these complaints,
and substantial concessions are ex-
pected from Mr.. Pinchot by reason of
the representations made by the Min
ing Congress,
IT is certainly source of satisfaction
to know that the chief Of the Forestry
Bureau is disposed to make concessions
to the mining interests and TO modify
such instructions as have made that
interference source Of complaint to
mining men. But all this reads very
strange in connection with the circu-
lar sent out last fall by Chief Pinchot
disclaiming all power under the law,
and all right or disposition on the part
| Of the Forestry Bureau, to interfere
with mining on the forest reserves in
any way. That circular, which VIC
| have referred to heretofore, several
times, expressly disclaimed any lawful
authority on the part Of the bureau to
oostruct in any way. or meddle with,
| the prosecution of mining enterprises
on the forest reserves. 1t expressly
pointed to the law as making mining
subject to no interference whatever by
the forestry service. being controlled
! entirely from the Department Of tho