Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1910-09-29
WATER CONTROL QUESTION
Up IN MINING CONGRESS

Los Angeles. cal, Sept 29.-The prob
lem created by state versus national
claims TO control Of water power sites.
which excited the irrigation congress
az Pueblo came before the resolutions
committee OF the American mining
congress today in the form OF resolu-
ton demanding that state control DO
recognized and that forthwith laws be
passed which will enable the sites to he
leased ana the power developed while
the revenue from such leases shall he
devoted To- the protection Of watersheds
from forest fires
D. y. Foser OF Colorado. presented
the resolution It calls FOR 6o-year
leases nf water power sites and declares
that the power Is essential for the FUR
Their development Of the mining indus
try
II may cause an interesting session
either in COMMITTEES or OF the floor 81
Congress rs there are both friends and
foes OF state control among the dele
gates. But sentiment expressed among
tn members of the committee seems In
be against extending the scope 81 the
convention declarations 20 cover the
water power phase of INC national ro-
sources problem.
The resolution committee delivered n
favorable report on the additions to
the plans to eliminate the wildcat
tcrs" This was q suggestion by Lewis
Aubury. mine commissioner Of cali
fornia. who recommended that IN az
mining and oil states that have no such
officers now. a state commissioner ~
corporations be appointed with power To-
Investigate all mining and oil compan
ics and when n wildcat Is found 70
XIII Il bV means " publicity.
Publicity given under the authori-
" NJ "a state official would do more
than anything else to destroy mine and
oil wildcats which suhsist on gullible
invest tors said MI Aubury.
SCHEDULE OUT OF GEAR.
The schedule Of tho American min
ing congress was thrown out OF gear
today by the resolutions committee.
That body atttr "a session that lasted
an yesterday and most OF last night,
was unable up to noon TO report on
tho numerous resolutions relating 10 ne
policy OF clifford Pinchot.
The morning session, therefore. was de
voted to the programs set for a later
date.
Tho principal feature Of the meeting
was the introduction Of a resolution
by Thomas j. Gibbon of Los Angeles,
app. aling L. President TAFT to take
immediate action looking to the rcc0V
ury hs the government Of the oil lands
ip california now held by the southern
Pacific Railroad company Mr.. PinChot
ia his address before the congress, Mop.
ldy night won his greatest measure
lf applause 10y suggesting such action
against the railroad Mi Gibbon eA-
pressed ardent support Of the Pinchot
theories ana his resolution seeks &.
AIRY out the suggestion of the former
orcster.
The oil lands now held by the South
'rn Pacific are valued at more than
5O. 0O0, coo il Is assorted, and MIR. Gib-
ION quotes the patent granted by the
government 10 the railroad which eN-
cpts all mineral lands but coal and
ron. as ground for the proposed fed
raj proceedings Tor forfeiture.
ALASKAN MINING LAWS.
rho committee "a Alaskan mining
avs submitted report protesting
against long distance interference by
Washington I'M the affairs of Alaska"
Il advocates more home rule and the
,urnlng of the vast Alaskan coal fields
"a thorough Investigation" the re
lort added "wiu reveal that there has
,ocn good faith as wen as bad. bona
lda entries as well as corruption Tho
good faith and honest entries should be
cvarled,
s surprising discovery the report
outinucd. vac that the interests most
frequently charged with fraud were the
most insistcnt supporters " the pro-
,o4Dd leasing system. 10 which the
committee voiced opposition u de-
Jared that the leasing system IN the
oal fields would amount 90 conhsca-
ion. or the monopoly of the coat heids
" the big interests
The report insists on the immediate
.pcnlug Of the coal fields TO supply fuel
% the Pacific coast and the American
.aNy, and Co make certain transpofta-
ion to Alaska-