Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-12-08
PRESIDENT WILSON
SENDS GREETINGS TO
MINING CONGRESS

Phoenix Ariz Dec I.-Credit for the
important part played by The Amer
lean Mining Congress in the Inaugural
ton of the Federal Bureau of Mines
and the national Safety First" move
ment was extended to that organiza-
ton in a letter of greeting from Pres
ident Woodrow Wilson read at the
seventeenth annual session which
opened here today. An opportunity for
further endeavor TO cut down the toll
of death and injury in mines exists,
the President suggests, and assurance
of the fullest cooperation of all the
proper governmental agencies in
further work along this line, is extend
ed. --e-.--@-
The Presidents letter follows:N
ITO the Members of The American
Mining Congress:
II regret exceedingly that, owing to
the press of circumstances, it will be
impossible for me TO greet you in per-
son at the seventeenth annual session
of The American Mining Congress at
Phoenix. Arizona.
II am well aware of the important
part played by your great organiza-
ton in the. creation of our Bureau of
Mines and am sure that the good work
of that bureau in attempting better to
safeguard the lives of the two million
men employed in the hazardous mining
and metallurgical industries will con-
tinue to rebound to your credit. as we'll
as to the credit OF the bureau itself. 1t
will always be a tribute to your fore
sight and energy that this new federal
organization. in the short period of it's
existence, with the kindly cooperation
of state and their agencies, has been
able by persistent and intelligent ef-
fort to turn an isolated local movement
for greater safety into a great national
movement for safety First" and has
already gone beyond the mining indus
try into every industry of the country
I venture to say that thousands of lives
have been saved by that movement
saved in the future
Gratifying as the results of this
life-saving campaign may have been,
however, there is still vigorous work
for your congress to do. l am inform
ed that. during the last year. more
than three thousand men were killed
and one hundred thousand injured in
the mining and metallurgical indus
tries of the country. AT the same time,
those in authority tell me that. from
their observation and experience. one
half of such deaths and three-fourths
of such injuries, may be regarded as
easily spreventable. -
- Il suggest this situation as an OPP
portunity for further endeavor on your
part to cut down this excessive toll of
death and of injury. can assure you
of the fullest cooperation of all the
proper governmental agencies also of
my earnest desire for your active and
continued assistance.
There is. one other problem con-
nected with the mining industry n
which the Federal Government is vi
tally interested, and that is proper
conservation and proper use of the
mineral resources of the nation.
realize that, you too. are interested
in this problem and I wish merely to
call it to your attention because OF
its fundamental importance to the
present and future prosperity of the
nation, I am happy to say that the
profiigacy of the past in the use Of
these resources is not being continued,
on so large a scale. There is, however,
great opportunity for further reform
along these lines and in this your or
ganization can be of invaluable service.
Sincerely yours,
"(Signed) Woodrow Wilson"