The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1912-08-14
SHALL MINING MEN ACT?

SHALL MINING MEN ACT?
! Referring to the action of the Utah
mining men in combining to oppose the
rulings of the General Land Office with
respect to mining patents, and TO pro
test against the crushing conservation
policy which does so much to prevent
the expansion of the mining industry
in this western region, and to the ques'
tiou under consideration whether
they shall organize independently. the
Tribune a few days ago expressed the
opinion that the Utah men would do
well to take independent action in the
premises. This opinion is contro-
verted by Secretary Callbrcatb Of the
American Mining Congress. who thinks
that the Utah men ought to act
through that body, and not iudepend-
emily, We arc glad to extend the
hospitality OF our columns to MIR. Call
breath, and to lay before the mining
mon of Utah his opinions on this ques~
tion, and his claims of good work done
by that Congress. His letter is as fol
lows.
Washington, Aug. ,. 1872
Editor Tribune.-iour editorial under
date OF August 4th concerning the re-
cent Mining Mems Meeting In your city,
prompts me TO ask "A little space for re-
ply TO your argument concerning the
necessities Of The present situa ton.
Ieel sure that you desire TO be help
full. and that the position taken by you
expresses your view as TO the oest
course OF action.
At.l, ATsr,iy,
Congress you say that Utah has done
Its oest 10 support that Congress and
TO make IL success; but the lethargy
OF the Eastern wing has paraiyzed prog.
substantial benefit to the metal mining
industry anywhere.
In reply lei me say that; First. Utah
has not given anything like its share
should be done. Second. The lethargic
Eastern wing has during the recent past
contributed very much more than the
West, and has not had the benefit OF
proportional share OF the work
What are the functions which should
be served by. mining organization?
These must be divided under three
heads:
First. The work which is Of 81 Ma
tional character having TO do with mat
ters common TO all mining States This
function relates to National legislatloni
the proper administration OF those Ma
matters affecting the mining industry;
interstate freight rates, unilication of
State mining laws; and to secure Ma
tional assistance 10 the mining industry
similar TO that which has been extended
to agriculture.
Second State legislation and the ad
OF those state bureaus which
have to do with the mining industry; In.
trastate freight rates. and matters OF
State concern In which the cooperation
OF operators will better mining condi-
tions.
Third. Local mining matters pertain
Ing particularly to some special district
or section.
You advocate the organization of a
State association upon the theory that
can better meet the requirements OF the
situation The Utah chapter OF the
American Mining Congress is such an
organization, and there Is no reason why
as well as to cooperate with the Ma
tioual organization In ouIng those things
which Utah would not be willing nor
could not afford to do without the CO.
flted.
l am ready to admit a complete failure
to meet this situation in the, State OF
the fault OF the National organization
Let us examine the National situation
with d view to determining whether, your
statement is correct or not with refer
important thing calling for the effort Of
4 National Organization during the pres
ent year has been the effort to prevent
the wiping out OF the tariff protective
duty on lead and zinc ores. Notwtth-
Of both Utah and Colorado entirely failed
10 lend any assistance. the case presented
TO the Finance Committee OF the United
States Senate was SO we'll prepared that
nrnplineDt SenatOr remark SG
the close of the hearings that the case
had been better presented before the
Committee than that Of any industry ask
ing for tafifI protection.
Giving full credit to the Senators and
OF Congress who did their part
in this contest SO ably, | feel that It Is
but fair that the American Mining Con
gress should have credit for organizing
the forces which presented SO clear a
case TO the Senate Committee.
From a number of similar telesrams, /
will quote one;
wallace. Idaho. Jan; ,a7 1912
Congress. Washington, D. C.:-Your wire 2sth re-
ceived Thanks for information. Have notified
parties interested. VIII supply data earliest pos
sibIe moment. Keep me advised every phase our
expense. WilI appreciate further suggestions.
r,, gives ssnss sgjSsnce Of HtRef NE seslnhinr pA
and The hearings before the Senate Com
nittee as appearing on pages 1856 to e22
or the Hearings before the Senate COM
mittee oil Finance" the published result
Of that particular phase of the work. II
is nor all which has been done, but u is
all which should pc made public. ! sub
nit that in this particular matter the
American Mining Congress has done all
that could be expected of National min
ing organization.
Tho next matter of importance is the
effort to secure Federal cooperation in
the development OF the mining industry.
which was the original purpose OF the
American Mining Congress. The Bureau
OF Mines the agency through which this
work can be done. Is an accomplished
fact. Its creation was contested largely
because IT opened a door 10 a new line
of appropriations which once begun
would have TO ne continued. This oppo-
si;ion was forced 10 Yield 10 the demand
for better protection to the lives OF the
miners and the Bureau OF Mines act. was
so amended as to make this the only
work intended 40 be provided for. In
following out this policy no appropriation
was secured for the Western work, the
Appropriations Committee OF 1911 pur-
pose!y striking from the appropriation
act al provision for any work Tor the
benefit OF the metal mining industry.
In the present session of Congress, the
Appropriation Committee OF the House
refused al az the appeals made for an
appropriation for this work. The Mining
Congress continued the fight on the foo:
tho tJoiIE,. -yl,srs n IN