Gilpin observer., 1910-02-24
BUREAU OF MINES.

The following bill has passed the
House of Representatives and ad-
vices from Washington Indicate that
1t will also pass the Senate at an
early day. 1t is not all that the min
ing interests call for but it is a good
start and will be a foundation on
which to build:
To establish in the Department of
| the Interior a-Bureau of Mines.
BE it enacted by the Senate and
House of Representatives of the Unit
ed States of America in Congress as
sembled,
That there is hereby established in
the Department of the Interior a bu-
reau, to be called the Bureau of
Mines, and a commissioner of said
bureau, who shall be appointed by
the president, by and with the ad-
vice and consent of the Senate, and
who shall receive salary of five
thousand dollars per annum and
there shall also be in the said bu-
reau such clerks, agents, experts, anI
other employees, that may from time
to time be authorized by Congress.
Sec. 2 That it shall be the prov
ince and duty of said bureau and it's
commissioner, under the direction of
the secretary Of said department, tc
foster, and develop the mining indus
ri n hn 10 -o1r
diligent investigation of the methods
of mining, especially in relation to
the safety of miners, and the appli-
ances best adapted to prevent acci-
dents, the possible improvement of
conditions under which mining opera
tions are carried on, the use of ex-
plosives and electricity, the preven-
ton of accidents and other techno-
logic Investigations and inquiries, and
f.'om time to time make such public
reports of the work, Investigations,
and information obtained as the Sec
retary of said department may direct,
with the recommendations of such
bureau
Sec. 2. That the secretary of the
Interior shall provide the said bureau
with furnished offices within the city
of Washington, with such books, rec
ords. stationery, and appliances and
such assistants, clerks, stenographers
typewriters, and other employees as
may be necessary for the proper dis
charge Of the duties imposed by this
act upon such bureau, fixing the COM
pensation of such clerks and en-
ployees within appropriations made
for that purpose.
Sec. 4. That the secretary of the
Interior is hereby authorized to trans
fer to the Bureau of Mines from the
United States Geological Survey the
supervision of the Investigations of
structural materials and the analyz-
ing and testing of Goals, lignites and
other mineral fuel substances; and
tie appropriations made for such in
vestigations may be expended under
the supervision of the commissioner
OF mines in manner as If the same
were so directed in the appropria-
tions acts; and such Investigations
shall hereafter be within the province
of the bureau of mines.
Sec. 5. Immediately after the or
ganization of the Bureau of Mines un-
der appropriations made therefor by
congress, the work of the so-called
technologic branch of the Geological
Survey, including the investigation of
structural materials, the analyzing
and testing of Goals, lignites and
other mineral fuel substances, and
the causes of mine explosions shall
cease and determine under the or
ganization of the United States Geo
logical Survey.
Sec. 6. This act shall take effect
and be in force on and after the first
day Of July, nineteen hundred and
| ten.
Passed the House OF Representa-
tives January 25, 1910.