Gilpin observer., 1910-08-18
IMPORTANT MEETING
OF MINING CHAPTER.

Denver, Colo, August17,-The Col
orado Chapter OF the Mining Con-
gress has called general meeting
to be held in Denver, August 9th
for the purpose of considering the
general conservation policy Of the
federal government. Secretary War
wick, on being interviewed, stated
that every mining district in the
state is situated in a reserve of some
kind and that the mining men, while
not opposing the general policy Of
conservation, are greatly aroused by
the new issues.
Senate bill No. 54S6 introduced by
Senator Nelson Is particularly OBJ
jectionable. That bill provides that all
mining claims can be condemned by
the secretary of the Interior for wat
er power sites If, in his judgment,
such claims are worth more as power
sites than as mining claims. While
patented claims are not mentioned,
there can be hardly any doubt that
the language used can be held by the
courts as covering patented claims
also. Therefore, no mining claim sit
uated in a gulch or on the lower
hillsides can be held with any Sc
curity Of title II the bill referred to
becomes law. While it is true that
many mining claims may appear
worthless, no one can really tell what
an undeveloped mining claim may con
tain. The Little Johnny at Leadville
was considered worthless for nearly
twenty years; the Camp Bird at
Oufay was sold by an experienced
mining man for song to become
Fifteen years later one Of the great
bonanzas of the state; the Golden
Fleece at Lake City was located in
the early sos to become in the late
SOS one Of the greatest mining prop
ties ever developed in the state. If
by any chance these claims had been
in gulch and condemned by the Sec
rotary OF the Interior. these great
mining properties, which have paid
upwards of fifteen million dollars in
profits, would never have been heard
Of.
The secretary OF the Colorado
Chapter says that the mining laws
are in grave danger OF becoming
dead letter. In the forest reserves
the rules and regulations Of the ag-
ricultural department can materially
change the intent and spirit Of the
mining laws which have so rapidly
developed the mineral resources Of the
United States and made it the great
est mining country in the world.
These laws should be modified only
by the advice and with the consent
Of the mining people and they should
not be allowed to become the foot
ball of the professional 'conserva-
tors" and well meaning but misin-
formed enthusiasts.
The Colorado Chapter at the same
meeting will also take up for con-
sideration plans whereby every pros
pector and miner in the state will
be protected and guaranteed his
rights under the mining laws when
ever he enters a reserve. Without
prospecting mining becomes stagnant
and it is the belief of many of the
members Of the Chapter that the
present condition Of mining in the
state Is due to the lack of prospec-
tors on the public domain. The sight
Of prospector in the mountains is
becoming rarity. This condition is
due to fear on the part Of the pros
pectors of subjecting themselves to
the whims and fancies of an Agricul-
tural bureau situated in Washington.
This condition Of affairs the Colorado
mining men are determined to ame-
liorate.