The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1911-08-09
Houehton Department

OF a unit large enough TO justify the
opening and equipment Of a modern
mine and 20 permit ITS operation on an
economical scale. Without such pro-
vision for commercial operation too
great an advantage is given TO land
grant railroads and the large coal
companies that are already i'm posses
sion of considerable areas OF land con-
tanning high grade coal.
The present uncertainty whether the
phosphate rock of the public land
should be entered under the lode law
or under the placer law is conclusive
evidence Of the need of legislation. As
II matter OF fact neither Of these laws
is more applicable 20 the acquisition Of
beds OF phosphate-bearing limestone
than il would be 20 that OF coal beds.
Oil and Gas Legislation.
The most urgent need Of legislation
for the disposal of mineral deposits
is in connection with oil and gas. II
is apparent that the placer law, which
is none too well adapted 10 meet mod
ern conditions, in mining placer gold,
IS wholly inadequate IL applied 10 pub
lie oil lands inasmuch as the discov-
cry OF of IS made at a late stage in
~ exploration and development Of the
land claimed under the law. The need
for a better law is imperative. and the
legislative action demanded by the sit
nation should not be limited to an
attempt TO reyamp the general placer
law but should involve the enactment
Of an altogether new leasing measure,
espe @ adapted 10 provide for the
sane 1aH ritable development Of the
oil ana "a. Industry in the future.
New Laws Needed.
Proposed amendments Of the WELL
established laws relating TO metallif-
cruus minerals always excite warm
discussion Although the opinion OF
mining men in general favors revision
% the mining laws OF the United |
states and although commission after
commission has been appointed by va !
riovs bodies 10 suggest improvements, |
The statutes have remained practically |
unchanged for nearly 80 years, while |
the geology Of ore deposits and the /
technology uf metal mining have made |
marvellous progress.
Apex Law is inadequate.
The claw Of the apex" has been more
productive Of expensive litigation than
pr economical mining. In many Of
the more recently established and more
mining districts this sta
.ute has been made imperative either
By common agreement or by compro-
mise between owners OF adjoining
'laims It's repeal could not affect es-
ablishod equities held under patents
already granted but would make prop
rty rights more certain in large min
ng districts not yet discovered. where
lew and valuable claims will be locat-
a a hundred years hence.
The Same knowledge Of natural con-
.,tions that leads 10 the suggestion Of /;
repeal of the law Of the apex jus
iics tho further suggestion that the
discovery Of ore in place can not be
made a universal prerequisite To the To-
alton OF a mining claim. Geologic
tudy in a number OF regions has re-
called many underground ore deposits
70 which the present law can not be
pplied. although the deposits are rich
nd their extent can bo surmiscd more
than that Of some ore de- ,
oslts which outcrop at the surface {
% meet such actual conditions the law (
hould provide for the acquisition Of {
letaliifcrous mineral land that can be
lassIdcd as such by means Of ade-