The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1913-12-18
COLORADO FOREST RESERVES ABOVE WHERE
GOD ALMIGHTY DECREED TIMBER SHOULD GROW
THE RIGHT OF PRosPEcToR TO DIG WHERE HE BELIEVES
THERE is MINERAL, ON GOVERNMENT LAND, SHOULD
BE QUESTIONED BY NOBODY

The theoretical conservationists
seem to have a strangle hold on Colo
RADIO. 1t looks like there might be a
return to common sense. and yet the
fact remains that the exercise Of COM
mon sense would never have permitted
the growth of such a condition as now
exists.
A short time ago it was asserted by
Senator Shafroth of Colorado before
the Philadelphia mining congress that
one third Of Colorado's area is bottled
up in forest reserves. OF that one
third 40 per cent is absolutely barren
of timber, 80 per cent is covered by
scrub brush not designed to come
within the forestry law, and, 80 per
cent was properly in the reserves.
In recent issue of the Chicago
Mining and Engineering World is an
article by ]. r. Henahen, commission
err Of mines of Colorado. on the sub
ject Of conservation as practiced and
mineral development, 1t is to the
point and no part Of it is likely to be
disputed. 1t is most unjust and ride
ulous In the extreme that the growth
of a great industry should be retarded
simply to crafty the whims of theor-
lists. Metal mining in Colorado since
1859 has added billion and one-
eighth dollars to the wealth of the
United States. Following is the story
Of the Colorado state commissioners
Unjust and Unreasonable Rules.
1.-THE administration of the national
forest reserves has been the cause of
considerable complaint from mining
men, on the grounds that the policy
pursued is detrimental to the interests
of the prospector for minerals, and re-
tards the development Of the mineral
resources Of the country. l believe
the complaints in general are well
founded, Notwithstanding the denial Of
the department of the interior and the
officials Of the forestry service. 1t Is
the contention of the federal govern
ment that it desires to aid in the de-
yelopment of the natural resources of
Colorado and other western states. but
that this must not be done at the eX-
pense Of the great forests which cover
the Rocky mountains. The govern
ment contends that it makes liberia
provision for the prospector who hon
estly desires to locate a valid minera
claim In the forest reserve, but rules
are laid down to establish the validit,
of a claim which are unjust and un
reasonable.
A Prospector's Rights.
Shall we say that a forest ranger
who may or may not be mining mar
and, as a matter Of fact, in most case
knows nothing Of mining, should b
competent to Judge whether a pros
pector has located valid claim? Doe
it not look more reasonable that tn
prospector, willing to devote his tim
and hard labor, to the development o
a prospect, in which there is no re
ward for him unless he strikes min
eral, be allowed to take the chance
instead of being told off-hand by
forest ranger that he has not locate
a mineral vein? Is not the prospecto
who tramps the hills month af'e
month, year after year, in search of
mine, to be encouraged, at least t
the extent that when he ands VIVA
he thinks Is the object Of his searA1
he be permitted to prove to his ow