The Pioche record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1908-1925, 1910-05-14
APPOINT a TRAINED MAN.

The bill providing for federal bu-
reau of mines has passed the senate
and. having been already approved
by the house, says the Mining and
Scientific Press, will now go to con-
ference for consideration of the
amendments. 1t Is believed that
there will be few difficulties In reach
ing an agreement and that the bill
will soon become a law. Thus ends
a long campaign for legislation, and
begins another of administration.
Among the amendments proposed by
the senate the best was one changing
the name of the proposed head Of the
bureau from commissioner to director
and raising the salary from $4,000 to
$4,000. In giving the new officer the
same title and salary as the director
the geological survey, In -lacing the
bureau In the department of the in
terror, and In transferring to 1t the
chronological division of the survey,
congress has indicated In a signifi-
cant manner the wish that the new
bureau shall work In harmony with
the survey and be as like to 1t as pos
sible. In this CONGRESS- has inter-
preted correctly the best thought Of
mining men, and we hope that the
president will keep this in mind when
he appoints the new director. 1t is
provided that this officer "shall be
thoroughly equipped for the duties of
said office by technical education and
experience" We hope this provision
will be observed both in letter and
spirit. The hi0h standing Of the geo.
logical survey has come mainly from
the fine spirit of the men belonging
to 1t and the character of subordi-
mates In any organization Is influenc-
ed II not determined b. the men at
the head.
1t Is too early to even guess who
may be appointed. Mr.. John Hays
Hammond naturally comes to mind,
since, ACCORDING to frequent press dis
patches, he Is the one mining engin-
eer who Is among the PRESIDENTS IA
miliar friends. We doubt II the place
would appeal to Mr.. Hammond, as he
would need to work as subordinate
to the secretary Of hte interior and
would be the junior member OF a
lar~e official family. II department
instead OF bureau had been created,
and position in the cabinet were
under consideration. 1t might we'll be
another story. Aside, however, from
Mr.. Hammond's wishes, Of which we
believe he has given no indication.
there would doubtless be objection
to him urged by certain interests
which will properly be considered.
The movement for a bureau of mines
originated In the west but 1t was the
coal miners and operators who finally
won the battle: and the work trans.
rerred to 1t from the survey relates
70 coal mining almost exclusively. I'm
der the circumstances 1t is natural
and right that the first director at
least, be one thoroughly In touch witt
the problems Of coal mining. Mr..
Hamm0nd's experience in that direc
ton. we believe, is limited largely to
MS connection with the Stone Canyon
mines. His large business interests
might well prevent his being more
than nominal chief, and his rela.
lions with that intangible grour
known as Wall Street would an
tagonfze labor leaders who are VITAL,
interested In the new bureau. Mr.
hammond Is a brilliant executive
ana has rare judgment in selectins
assistants and In handling men. HI
has shown his repeated interest II
the work Of this bureau, but we doub
both his interest in the appointment
and the advisability of its being OF
fered to him.
When one turns to others Their,
are SO many who might fill the plac,
with distinction that choice would b
difficult. II the president Is wise h
WILL we think annninf ono ~ tho ZEE