The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1914-11-21
FEATURES OF THE
mining CONGRESS

PHOENIX, Ariz., Nov. 2l--Though
the program for the seventeenth an
unal convention of the American Min
ing Congress, TO be neld in Phoenix
December I'll, is not complete, it is
already certain that the session will
be the most important in the history
of that organization. Compulsory ar
bitration of labor disputes, workmen g
compensation, mine taxation, mining
investments, mapping of water sup
ply in desert regions, Federal control
of water power and many other SUBJ
jects of vital interest are to come up
for consideration. Men of interna-
tional reputation, such at John Hays
Hammond, Otto Ruhl and Senator
John F. Shafroth, will deliver ad-
dresses and take part in the discus
sions
Probably more time will be devot-
ed to compulsory arbitration than to
any other topic. The labor organiza-
tions are alive to the fact that this
subject is to be discussed in the min
ing congress and that any action TAX
en- by that body will have great
weight at Washington. Therefore
they are planning to send their ablest
men to the convention to represent
the side of the workmen. Among
those whom they will send are John
lP White of Indianapolis, president
o. the United Mine Workers of
America, and Thomas Lewis of Col
umbus, who stands high in the coun-,
ellis of the same organization.
Hon. James A. Emery of Wash
ington will open the discussion on
compulsory arbitration. Robert Wal
ker and Samuel O. Dunno of Chicago
will participate. Right along the
same line, Charles Piez, also Of Chi
cago, will speak on s'The Cost of
Strikes. Doubtless the speakers on
both sides will draw important les
sons from the Colorado troubles.
Samuel A. Taylor of Pittsburgh
will open the discussion on work
man g compensation laws. This is a
subject of burning interest at pres-
ent. Washington appears to be the
only state that has satisfactory
workmen' 3 compensation statute.
D. L. Webb, an attorney of Dem
yer and one of the world 3 ~ ing
authorities on mine taxation, Isl elair-
man of the congress s committes on
taxation of metalliferous mines and
win present an important report No
state has an entirely satisfactory
mine tax law and this committee may
have some solution of the perplexing
problem to offer.
Time will be given to discussion Of
other phases of the mine tax question.
Should mines be valued for taxation
at the prices asked by their owners7
Should the state use its power to pre-
vent mining property being held for
purely speculative purposess These
questions and many more will be put
squarely up to the delegates.
Lieutenant Governor w. r. Allen Of
Montana will present the report of
the committee on mining investments,
whrich probably will include sugges-
tions for increasing the confidence Of
the public in legitimate mining ven
lures. E. G. Reinert, editor of Min
ing Science, published at Denver and
H. Foster Balm, editor of Mining and
Scientific Press, published at San
Francisco, will also talk on the sub.
ject of mining investments.
The public lands question will be
dealt with in an address by Senator
John F. Shafroth of Colorado, a rec
ognized authority. DR.. VIM. b. Phil
lips, of the University of Texas, viii
speak on Conservation, State d
Nationalf" "Why OPTIMISM i,
the subject of an address by Georgt
Otis Smith, director Of the United
States Geological Survey. Fayetts
A. Jones, president Of the New Mexi
co school of mines, is to speak on min
| ing in his state, while DR.. Chas. n
Clapp, of the University Of Arizona
will deliver an address on the sam,
subject as applied to that state. Con
gressman F. A. Wedgewood of Sal
Lake and L. Bradford Prince, forme
governor of New Mexico, will ado res
the congress of Federal control o.
water power in the west which is O
high Importance to the mining ir fus
try.
Walter Douglas, general manager o
the Copper Queen and other Philips
Dodge interests, will address the eon
vention on the subject of legisls tiol
as it affects the mining industry o
Arizona.
A resolution will be introduced SIX
ing the geological survey to max
complete survey of underground va
ter supply in arid regions of the 81
At present the government has n
data at all on underground water i
wide areas, and data which it has d
the subject is far from compete or q
liable. 1t is contended by mining .
that at small expense the governm q
can plot the arid regions into u
squares and put down wells at esse
intersection. This work naturally
of far more Importance to the homs
seeker and farmer than to the mine
or prospeetor.
Falcon Joslyn built railroad U
Copper river, in Alaska, overeom .
enormous difficulties of a nat y
never before encountered in railr
construction. Later he sold the roa
to the government for less than
- oouc<ruef iuef haeause