Tonopah daily bonanza. [volume] (Tonopah, Nev.) 1906-1929, 1912-08-31
CONGRESS MAKES
APPROPRIATION FOR
BUREAU OF Mines
MEANS MUCH FOR THE WEST
IN THE IMPROVEMENT OF
MINING CONDITIONS

James F. Calbreath, secretary of
the American Mining congress, arriv-d
ed in Salt Lake City Wednesday
morning for the purpose of attend
ing the sessions of the Trans-Miss-
issippi congress. and to shake hands
again with the local mining men.
says the Salt Lake Tribune. When
seen by the Tribune, Mr.. Callbreath
was regarding a telegram he had
just received from Washington with
a considerable amount of gratifica-
ton, for it gave him the first infor-
nation of the fact that one of the
last acts of the last congress. which
died so hard the first of the week,
was the appropriation of $4,000 for
the furtherance of the bureau of
mines activities in the western metal
mining fields.
Mr.. Callbreath stated that the
amount, while smaller than was de-
sired, is magnificent achievement,
because it is the first time congress
has seen fit to move in behalf of
the western metal mining industry.
Ever since the bureau of mines was
organized the operations of the same
have been confined by express pro-
visions in the acts of congress to
coal mining fields. any action here
tofore of the bureau in western met
al fields being expressly prohibited.
lis Opening Wedge
During the whole Of the past SEES
sion Mr.. Callbreath, on behalf of
fthe American Mining congress, la
bored in Washington for an appro-
priation of not less than 100000
for the bureau of mines extending
its operations out into the western
metal districts He had been given
TO understand that congress would
refuse positively to appropriate any
amount for this purpose this year,
but In some as yet unexplained but
decidedly fortunate manner some
j frined of the metal mining industry
managed to get the $4,000 item into
1.-THE bill, and for the first time in its
career the bureau of mines OF the
government can now undertake some
Of the difficult and long overdue
tproblems that confront the metal
mining industry of this country.
! 1T is not entirely question OF
amount said Mr.. Callbreath to the
Tribune, sit is mainly a question
of making the first appropriation,
for such once work is started by
congress 1t can not be allowed to
die. The appropriation next year
will be larger without question. and
that is why such difficult time
was had in getting any initial ap-
preparation through. Congress APP
preciates that it must continue such
work hereafter, and there is no
louestion but what the great good to
be accomplished by Director Holmes
and his associates will be sufficient
argument for the regular mainte
nance of such western metal activity
by the bureau"
What Will Be Done
Asked what, in his opinion, would
be the first step undertaken by the
bureau of mines in the metal fields
. Mr.. Callbreath replied that he could
not speak authoritatively, but he be
Iiieved that efforts will be confined
at first to the determination OF
some OF the troublesome metallur'
gical difficulties that confront the
western miner. such as the more
economical treatment of low-grade
ores. that resources now practically
valueless may be brought within
commercial reach BY improved pro-
cesses. Director Holmes unquestion-
ably viii continue his campaign and
organize his working forces as soon
as consistent. and the west can
look for some splendid results OF
this work.
The s5o.ooo appropriation reported
yesterday unqaessionably IL a victory