Iditarod pioneer., 1914-04-18
PROPOSED NEW MINING LAW

The bill introduced the house of representatives by Mr. Wick eha entitled "A bill amend the United States land laws their application Alaska and for other o peculiar interest this time, especially those sections dealing with mineral locations One of the important features of the bill that which nuhes the of the Alaska territorial legislature providing for the location and possession of mining claims Alaska and repeating all and parts of acts in conflict herewith etc. There has been much diff ference of opinion regard this territorial that perhaps just as we'll that it should be obiterated
 probably much that law Wl ever be framed that will satisfactory a There those who argue that the pioneer prospeco who endres the hahps and prNaons cdent penetrating wilderness should be allowed stake all the ground he And there those liberal mnded enough be willing that he be granted that provided he comply with the law regard representation work and not merely hold the ground the exclusion of those who could and would work law that allows stake for hsef and attorney for others claims each calendar mont surely liberal enough m ths re- speCt.
 The question of locaon work and assessment york; which has created conuson cleared the Wckersham bill by the of the following plain and unstakabe language hat
 during each year. including the of location and until patent has been issued ereor not less than $OO worth of labor shall be performed improvements made, etc
 Section B among other things provides for the recording of assessment work And upon failure of the locator of any such claim comply with the provisions of this act performance of work and such claim shall become forfeited and open location by others if location of the had been made Provided That the orgna ocators then he assigns legal representatives have not resumed work the clam after failure and before such oaton The provio similar to the contained the general United States law It omitted from the federal law relating mining Alaska and the recent err toa act also failed to incorporate it.
 Section IA of the proposed law deals with the limitation of the power attorney This question has been prolific of friction and dsconnt and the minds of the Wickerham bill will fall short of satisfactory solution reenacts the old fed ea provisions that of attorney must be writing duly knowedged and recorded recorders office the judicial d where the location made The argument against this would appear to be sensible Eac of the four judicial divisions of Alaska comprises stretch o territory lhus mineral locations might be made the Koyukuk nnoko daod districts powers of attorney recorded hundreds of miles at Fairbanks other paces where would be impossible verify them within reasonable The provision of the territorial this respect powers of attorney must be recorded the recording district which the claim be located before the location made would be preferable But only fair say that the objection applicable lesser degree the latter provision the recorders office of district which claim to be located more inaccessible than that of an adjoining district.
 The evident of the Wckesham bill make the law readily understood and in this is successful.