Los Angeles herald., 1910-01-17
LOS ANGELES TO
GET CONVENTION
AMERICAN MINING CONGRESS
HEADS THIS WAY
CITY's RIVAL, SPOKANE, FAILS IN
LAST EFFORT
Generous Support of Local Mining
Men Toward Securing Needed
Legislation Wins National
Applause

1t is now conceded that Los Angeles
will get the next convention of the
American mining congress, through
the efforts of its local affiliate, the
Sierra Madre club.
From the tenor of recent remarks in
the Northwest Mining News, pub
lished at Spokane, it is evident the
northern city has lost heart in it's eff
fort to secure the American Mining
Congress convention for the present
year. The last issue contains the fol-
lowing editorial note:
1T now seems highly improbable
that Spokane will secure the next
meeting of the American Mining con-
gress. From reports coming to us it
seems to be the policy of the president
of that organization to farm the meet
ing out to the highest bidder, and the
pace is getting SO swift that ne has
conceived the idea of securing funds
in this manner to not only pay the ex-
penses of the meeting, but also to con-
duct a legislative campaign at Wash
ington, D. c., and in the various
states. While Spokane can scarcely be
regarded. as niggardly, the citizens
have not sufficient interest in the
American Mining congress to desire to
finance it for a year or to pay any
part of the expenses beyond those in
cident to the meeting, which of course
would include the printing of the re-
port. 1t might be well for the presi-
dent of the congress to understand
also that this sentiment is shared by
the local members"
Los Angeles the Rival
While no names are mentioned, it is
evident to those who know aught of
the offer made by the Sierra Madre
club that Los Angeles is the rival re-
ferred to. The offer has been made in
all earnestness and includes the pay
ment of $4,000 to the congress for the
purpose of furthering needed Iegisla-
tion at Washington and further sum
to be expended in the payment of
legitimate expenses of the convention.
The position assumed by the Spokane
journal is not exactly fair either to its
rival for the honor or to the officials
of the congress. If the American Min
ing congress fulftlls the purpose for
which it was organized and really
represents the best interests of the
mining industry, it is quite evident that
legislation must be pressed to secure a
bureau of mines and, as everyone
knows, law-making, especially under
rules of senatorial courtesy" and
other tiresome congressional AFRO
gances. is an expensive luxury.
The American Mining congress COM
prises only 1900 members, when it
should be supported enthusiastically by
at least 10000, and the organization
has been compelled to subsist upon the
meager sum derived from the modest
dues eXacted.
Secretary Lacked Support
The secretary of the congress, dur
ing the fight before the last session Of
the national legislators, was compelled
to live at cheap lodging houses and
practically advance the entire sum
spent in the abortive effort to awaken
the representatives of the nation to a
proper conception of their duty to an
industry which employs about 100000
men and contributes 65 per cent of the
carrying trade of all our railroads.
It is time the mining industry was
properly represented in the great fight
for recognition and it cannot be done
without a certain amount of ready
money. The city that cheerfully con-
tributes to the fund should be entitled
to the honor of entertaining the next
meeting of the congress and every other
mining community in the country
should applaud it for the unseltish in
terest exhibited in the work
Spokane, if unable or unwilling or too
Indifferent to help the cause with
needed cash, should aid any other city
willing to foot the bills. 1t is unbe
coming to sulk or nurse "a crouch"
against officials who are doing their
full duty by furtherihg the interests of
every man connected with the indus
try.