Los Angeles herald., 1910-09-26
To SUBMIT RESOLUTIONS
TO MINING CONGRESS
Opponent of Miners Wishing Sep
arate Oil Mems Organization
DiSCourageS Action

When the American Mining congress
meets this week there will undoubted-
ly be precipitated a contest between
those who desire to have the miners
interfere and pass resolutions upon
matters affecting the oil industry and
those who insist that the two are en-
tirely distinct, by every rule of com
mon sense, and shall remain so with
reference to pending legislation.
That there may be no misunder-
standing and no precipitate action
taken without the consequences pe-
coming thoroughly understood the Cal
Ifornia Oil World that has led this
fight from the start, has prepared and
Will have submitted the following res
olutions declaring ii to be the purpose
of the American Mining congress 10
restrict itself to its own field and not
to interfere with the affairs of another
and distinct industry, believing that
this stand will meet the approval, not
only of the oil men. but also OF the
metal miners when the case is clearly
set before them:
RESOLUTIONS
Whereas, the American Mining con-
gress is composed of miners of gold,
silver, copper, lead, coal and similar
minerals and metals, an industry IN
itself separate and distinct from any
other, requiring legislation specially
adapted to it's needs; and
Whereas, the oil industry is busi-
ness entirely separate and distinct from
that of mining the minerals and metals
set forth above, and one. requiring leg
islation along distinct lines from that
required by the mining industry; and
Whereas, the governments policy OF
classifying the oil men as miners ana
oil claims as placer mining claims is
based purely upon a legal fiction and
a subterfuge rendered necessary solely
because of the lack of any legislation
governing the disposal of government
oil lands, and said classification of oil
claims as placer claims has resulted in
great complications in the laws, rem
dered titles insecure, led to the seizure
of property by force and endangered
the security of life on numberless oc-
casions; and
Whereas, the oil industry is today
facing a crisis in legislation matters
"a crisis which must be dealt with in
the most careful manner and only by
those who thoroughly understand the
needs Of the industry, peculiar to it
self and understood by very few out
side it's ranks; and
Whereas, the mining industry of the
United States is likewise facing a
serious condition in it's affairs, one re-
uuiring attention and careful study by
experts to understand its peculiar
needs; and
Whereas, it is impossible in the linn
tied time at the disposal of the Amerl-
can Mining congress for its members
to post themselves thoroughly on the
needs of the oil industry, and 1t Woulo
be inadvisable for them to undertake
to deal with the affairs of a separate
and distinct line of business, and
equally inadvisable for oil men who
know nothing of mining to interfere IN
the affairs of the mining Industry;
Now, therefore, be it resolved, that
the American Mining congress declares
its sympathy with the oil men in their
efforts to obtain justice and to secure
the enactment of immediate leglsla-
tion and would stand ready to assist
along these lines were such assistance
desirable, but in view of the conditions
above set forth such a course is not TO
the interest of either party, and there
fore the American Mining congress de-
clines to- commit itself to any policy
with reference to legislation governing
oil lands and is convinced that such
subjects had best be left<to the atten-
tion of those most interested who un-
derstand the subject; and, moreover,
II is equally undesirable to the min
ing men that those whose interests are
distinct should participate in the set
Element of affairs that relate entirely
to the mining industry, it is therefore
proper that the oil and mining INDUS
tries should remain distinct, each nav
ing SIS own organization.