The Goldfield news. [volume] (Goldfield, Nev.) 1904-1911, 1910-11-12
Leasing Public Mineral Lands

= I is SAID by those who oppose conservation that the leasing of
mineral lands would prove a hazardous departure, as far S the
United States is concerned. They admit that other countries
have dealt with their mineral resources in this manner, and as far as
any information is obtainable, the results seem to have been general
ly satisfactory.
The United States did retain the leasing system for a number of
years, but gave it up over a half century ago. The public lands IN
Wisconsin, Iowa and Michigan, which were especially valuable for
their copper and lead content, were not at first offered for sale, laws
being enacted under which they were leased on what seems to have
been reasonable terms. Several leases were taken out and proftably
operated. However, mining exploiters OF that period realized that
they could gain more profit by not sharing with the government, and
in 1s47 congress passed a law offering these lands at public sale at,
So an acre to all but those already leasing, who were to have the
preference and secure their land at $3.50 an acre.
The law makers attached no special Importance to the iron ore
deposits of Michigan and Wisconsin and permitted them to be sold at
the price of farm lands, which at that time was nothing compared
with the prevailing price today for similar land In those ssechons.
Had not these lands been disposed of-had the nation retained control
of them, it is possible that there would have been a different story to
tell about the steel trust-certainly, it would have been less powerful.
However, when western mineral lands are taken into considera-
ton, there are several phases presented. In the first place, conditions
of today are in nowise similar to those of half a century ago. Fur
thermore, mining has become an industry of enormously increasing
proportions and is regulated by various influences and conditions that
when the leasing system was in vogue among the middle west metal
miners, were unthought of. The process of mining in this country is
on lines much different than then. 1t has progressed to a point where
it is one of the chief concerns of industrial success.
1t represents millions of dollars. 1t represents the effort and
hope Of millions of people. 1t represents a vast combination of plans
and expectations. 1T is of too much magnitude to undergo a change
such as would result by the passing of laws providing a new method
by which operators must gain access to mineral land. We are not
saying that the leasing system would be non-benefcal In many re-
spects it would. Possibly it would become the perfect system of
mine operation, and assuredly the government would be the gamer
financially. But will efficient and satisfactory regulations be evolv-
ed9 VII a plan be hit upon that will prevent ceaseless conflict, mis-
understanding and dissatisfaction?
Will mineral land exploitation progress as rapidly and as success
fully under leasing regulations9 Will the leaser give the land the
same degree of attention and careful development? Probably this
could all be arranged, but it is a question too enormous. too import
ant and having too much bearing on the ultimate success of the west
and the nation in general to decide without sufficient elaboration.
Legislation upon the disposal and manner of control of public
lands, especially the mineral lands, must not be premature.