The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1913-01-16
MINING CONGRESS ASKS
COMMERCIAL CLUB TO
ASSIST IN ITS WORK
SETS OUT AIMS AND OBJECTS IN
LETTER WRITTEN BY PRES.
lDENT BRUNTON.
Proposed Law Would Make II lmpossi.
BILE to Acquire Rights Of Way for
Public Utilities Over Public Domain
Without Proper Approval.

The Wallace Board Of Trade is In
II seipt of a letter from President
Trlnton of the American Mining con
grass, q portion Of which Is herewith
.riyen. In which the objects of the con
e.~ess are set forth In an appeal for
cooperation. with the object in view
IL getting legislation that will protect
ana promote the mining industry OF
the country, correcting some of the
evil influences against which the min
ing man is compelled to fight The
letter explains itself and is herewith
Given, together with the proposed law
referred to:
Board Of Trade, Wallace, Idaho:
Gentlemen--We desire to submit to
YOU situation which we believe calls
FOR the active support Of every com
merciaI organization in the west:
i. More than one-half of the acre
age west of north and south line
drawn through the eastern border OF
Colorado consists of public. land ex-
empt from state taxation.
9. That all taxes levied upon the
other half of this acreage to meet the
Increasing expense of public institu-
tions, including courts, asylums. the
maintenance of schools, and construc-
ton Of roads, places an unfair and
burdensome tax upon that part Of the
acreage now subject to taxation.
8. The recent restrictive admins
trations Of public land laws and the
efforts to make more difficult the ac-
QUESTION Of title TO mineral and other
public lands in the west, have heen
largely instrumental in preventing
settlement and restricting develop
ment and hampering the progress of
the mining industry and preventing /
from keeping pace with Industrial adj
vaneement in other lines of effort,
A. During the three years endinf
December 81, 1911. 355,5S9 people have
emigrated from the United States t.
Canada, carrying with them wealth
estimated at over $S55,o0,o00 and dur
ing the year 1912 there has been an in
crease of 10 per cent over 1911 in the
number Of persons going to Canads
from the states and 80 per cent in
crease in the estimated average wealth
taken by each individual. These con-
ditions call for a more liberal policy
of administrations of our public lands
To the end that our own resources may
be developed, our own state institu
tions supported and the prosperity of
the west increased and continued,
g. The proposed policy for the fed
eral leasing OF mineral lands and wa
ter powers will keep from the state
taxing power which should contribute
to the support Of the state institutions,
will prevent investment, restrict de-
velopment, foster monopoly and make
necessary system of federal control
and espionage, subversve of free in
situations, expensive Of adminstra-
tions and hateful to the principles of
free people.
This incomplete statement of the sit
walton presents conditions calling
loudly for such organized effort as will !
bring about a more liberal administra-
ton of our public land laws, and will
prevent if possible the adoption of
laws now proposed. which will legal
ize the present restrictive admnistra-
tive policies.
We enclose herewith. copy of one of
q series Of proposed laws. which will
fairly illustrate the plan. A hasty ex-
animation of this outline will show
that it's purpose is to make impossible 4
the acquiring of rights of way for pub
lie utilities over the public domain un- |
til after approval by the secretary of I
the interior.
The evident purpose of this propos-
ed legislation is to control the water |
powers of the west our greatest pub |
lie asset The American Mining Con
EreSS, mas, with adequate support, |
been making an effort to prevent re- |
striction of western development, and |
has been working for the greater de- !
velopment of the west. with special re
ference to mining. It's purposes are
more fully set forth in the official call |
for Its recent convention. copy Of |
which is enclosed This work can not |
be carried on effectively without more |
assistance. We beg to ask you to be-
come a member Of the American Min
ing Congress family and to pledge ms
your regular support to our work for
the betterment Of the western condi-
tons The bill providing for the pro-
posed law reads as follows;
A bill relating TO the granting Of rights
OF way over the public lands and
reservations OF the United States. !