The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1913-07-31
Suggested Changes in US. Mining Law

Some time ago the committee 81
mining law of the Metallurgical So
ciety of America requested of mem
bers and others expressions Of opinion
as to what changes are deemed neces-
sary In our mining laws. There have
been many responses from mining EN-.
gincers and eminent mining authorl.
ties all over the United States. Alaska
and our insular possessions. Thus fal
they have been published in five
weekly installments In the Chicago
Mining and Engineering World. In
the last issue Of the World are express
sions from Rush j. White, of this city
chief engineer of the Federal Mining
and Smelling company and d. A, Ut
ter of Boise, surveyor general Of
Idaho. We reproduce them below.
Rush J. Whites Suggestions
Il will not attempt to discuss nom
metallic mineral lands, because do
not know anything about the condi-
lowing suggestions as to metallic min
eral lands.
Mineral lands shall be subject TO
location under two heads, metallic and
non metallic lands. Metallic mineral
lands to embrace all lands containing
deposits of metals or metallic minerals
Of all kinds, including placer deposits
Metallic mineral lands to be subject
to location as mining claims by citi-
zens. or associations Of citizens Of the
United States, or those who have de-
clared their intention to become such
or by mining corporations through
their duly authorized agent. The size
Of mining claim may be up to 1900
feet square, underground boundaries
to be surface boundaries projected
vertically downward
little to be initiated by stalking the
claim and properly posting and record
ing the notice Of location (not neces-
sarily making discovery of valu-
able mineraD. Title to be perpetu-
ated, before issuance Of grant from the
United States, by doing at least $3.50
worth of work in each calendar year,
including the year of location, for each
claim located, or in case of location so
late In the year that Vt is impossible to
do $3.50 worth Of beneficial work before
the end of the calendar year, then $500
worth Of work for each claim shall be
done before the end of the succeeding
year.
'One individual, association, or corr
poration may locate or acquire by pur-
chase and hold title to, at any one
time. not to exceed 1000 acres of min
eral land In any one mining district,
and not to exceed 10000 acres of min
eral land all told. This does not, how
ever, preclude any individual, associa-
ton, or corporation from holding or
owning any necessary amount Of sur
face ground for plant. reduction works,
refuse disposal, protection against tall
ings or Smoke farmers" etc
GuuNi SAouuu AibHtS NC IIctu
under title separate from that to the
surface rights.
"The United States shall not give
an absolute patent to mineral deposits,
but the title shall be in the nature OF
transferable grant that shall revert to
the government after the mineral de-
post has been worked out, or after the
lapse of a certain length Of time in
which due diligence has not been
shown in working or exploring the de-
posit. Failure to find mineral de-
posit shall not operate to terminate the
grant, provided diligence in explora-
ton be shown.
little to surface ground shall be
given by patent, and shall be absolute
and for all time.
IN the case OF mining claims located
On government land the mineral claim
ant shall have the preference over 9TH
ars in obtaining title to the surface
,bove his mineral holdings.
Adequate provisions shall be made
'or obtaining title to ample govern
nent land for tunnels through nom
mineral ground, for plant, reduction
works refuse disposal. etc.
"The government shall not lease Its
mineral lands either metallic or non
metallic. and shall not collect any roy
llty. (Taxes, and the expenses ana
'isks incidental to exploration and de
are sufficient burden upon
egitlmate mining)
Provision to be made for free TIM
'er prior to the time the property |
becomes self-sustaining, for mining |
Use, necessary roads, bridges, etc.
Patents to agricultural and other
ands permanently alienated previous
o the approval of this proposed act