The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1914-08-06

The long Standing dissatisfaction
with the IMMORAL land laws, the in
Vulnerable protests against them, and
the many isolated efforts to obtain
relief, have developed into a general
movement for their revision.
Prominent men have discussed the
evils Of the present laws and some Of
the reforms which should be made in
them. We all appreciate fully the III
innate value of these studies, but we
are also painfully aware of the fact
that discussion of this kind has been
going on for a quarter of a century
without any effect.
In order to get any practical result
we must induce an indifferent govern
ment at Washington to act, and TO do
this we must unite in pushing some
practical plan whereby it may act in
a simple and effective way and With
the least possible amount of criticism
or opposition.
The actual question is not whether
the mining laws are bad; for their
evils and absurdities are not only be
You'd discussion, but also beyond the
resources of a temperate and digni-
fled vocabulary. 1t is not what par
ticular changes ought to be made, for
it is premature to make specific re-
commenda tons until there IS some
one to listen to them. Moreover we
all know that there are wisdom and
experience enough available, and
awaiting that time, for the creation of
code which would be model to the
mining world.
The American Mining Congress is
engaged in the work of inducing con-
gress to undertake a general revision
of the mineral land laws ana to this
end it is urging the appointment of q
commission whose members snail be
selected for their recognized KNOW
edge and experience in the mining in
dustry. This commission shall con-
slider the mining laws of this and
other countries, and shall hold public
hearings in the principal mining COM
munites Of the west: giving full OPP
portunity for the expression of pub
lie opinion concerning the problems
before it. It's recommendation shall
be presented to congress in the form
of fully drafted mining code. 1t IS
not proposed to have this include de-
posits of coal oil, phosphate, or sa-
lines, because these are generally re-
garded as the subjects of other and
special legislation.
The American Mining Congress is
therefore not attempting at present
to formulate and recommend specific
changes in the mining laws. 1t is con
I centrating it's efforts upon the crea
ton of machinery which will do this
detailed work of revision and will do
it in a way calculated to inspire the
, confidence Of the mining communities
/ and appeal to the common sense Of al
men.
The definite plan Of action thus
proposed is basel upon the conviction
that no tnkering or patchwork revi-
SION tdH dilDlN dHS pei NCI'tlpit i'ii'i
The present mining laws as a whole
are hopelessly at variance with the
geological realities of ore deposit
structure and also with the practical
operations of prospecting and mining
Moreover, their various parts are SC
interdependent that 1t is practically
impossible to correct individual faults
without revising the laws as a whole
. problems involved are very techni-
cal and difficult and that mining men
are in much fear of changes framed
by legislators who do not know these
J technical peculiarties or the practical
!, effects of mining laws upon the in
dustry. This apprehension has led to
the prolonged endurance of present
evils until these have become disas-
, trous to the industry. 1t is therefore
: necessary for safety and for the quiet
ing of this fear that congress, in maxi
ing the revision, should assemble ana
utilize the best wisdom and expert
ence to be found among mining men.
This is, moreover, the only course
which will enable it to make reVi-
sion which will be satisfactory.
It is believed that no revision can
be carried through which docs not
gain for itself the acceptance and
support of the mining communities
affected by it, and a working plan, to
, be effective must provide practical
way of securing this acceptance They
. are already in accord as to the evils
of the present laws and the fact that
a revision is necessary. With respect
to the details of the changes required
; however. there are natural differences
of opinion and it is necessary to com
pose such differences by bringing them
all to focus before some authorita
tive body which has the power of de-
cision. This body or commission must
necessarily have a personnel which
e will be known to the mining .commun
: tiles and inspire their confidence.
! It is also believed that the commits