Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1914-12-08
PRESIDENT PAYS
COMPLIMENTS TO
MINE CONGRESS
Says in Letter to Convention
in Phoenix That 0rganlza-
lion Started "Safety first"
Policy in Country.

icy uorHne JOURNAL srsctsl lssssr wtrxi
Phoenix, Arlz., Dec. THE first
session Of the seventeenth annual ccn-
ventlon Of the American mining con-
gfesa which opened today and contln-
ues for five days was devoted 10 the
formal organization Of the conven-
tIon address of welcome and letter
Of greeting 20 the congress from Pres
ldent Wilson
State delegations meet tonight 10
select thoir reprcsenlatlges0f the res
oluiions committee.
Al a public reception to tke dele
gates tonight President schulz deliv-
cred mis- annual address.
Credit for the important part play
ed by the American mining congress
In the inauguration Of the federal bu-
reau Of mines ana the national Safe
~ First movement Is extended 20 that
organization IN u letter Of greeting
from President Woodrow Wilson read
at the session when II opened. An
opportunity for further endeavor to
cut down the toll Of death and injury
In mines exists, the president suggcsts,
and assurance OF the fullest co-opera-
ton Of all the proper governmental
agencies In further work along this
line N extended.
Tho presidents letter follows:
Presidents letter.
ITO the Members OF the American
Mining Congress. I regret exceedingly
that, owing to the press OF circum-
stances, Il will be impossible for fne
to greet you in person AT the seven
tenth annual session Of Tho American
mining congress NJ Phoenix. Arlz.
II am we'll aware Of tho important
part played by your great organlzn-
tIon IN tho creation Of our bureau or
mines and am sure that the good work
OF that bureau in attempting better
to safeguard the lives OF tho two mill
lion men employed IN the hazardous
mining ana metallurglcal industries
Will continue to rebound 10 your cred
IT, as well as 10 the credit OF the bu-
reau Itself. II VIII always be trl-
butte to your foresight and energy that
this new federal organization, IN the
short period Of It's existence, with the
'kidly cooperation Of state and other
agencies, has been able by persistent
and intelligent effort to turn an iso-
lated local movement for greater safe
~ into a great national movement for
safety First" and has already gone
beyond the mining industry into ey-
cry industry of the country VEN
ture to hay that thousands Of lives
have been saved by that movement
and that many thousands more VIII
be saved In the future.
Gratifying as the results Of this
life-aavlng campaign may have hecn,
however. these ~ still vigorous work
for your congress to do. am In
formed that. during The last year.
more than thrco thousand men were
killed ana one hundred thousand In
lured IN the mining and metallurgical
industries Of the country. AZ the same
time. those in authority tell me
that, from their observation and
experience, one-half Of such deaths
aud throe-fourths Of such injuries,
may be regarded as easily prevent
able.
Il suggest this situation as nm op-
portunly for further endeavor on
your part to cut down this excessive
toll Of death and Of injury. l can as
sure you Of the fullest cooperation y
All the proper governmental agenclesi
and also Of my earnest desire for your
active and continued assistance.
There Is one other problem con-
neeted with the mining industry IN
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 | wish merely 10
call Il 10 your attention because OF
its fundamental Importance to the
present aud future prosperity Of me
nation am happy 20 say that the
profligacy Of the past in the use OF
these resources is not being continued,
on 80 large scale. There Is, how
ever, great opportunity for further
reform along these lines and In This
your organization can he OF myalu-
sincerely yours,
WOODROW WILSON"
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