The Alaska daily empire., 1916-04-24
wIcKERsHAM AND MINING LAW REVISION

The action Of the Committee Mines in the National House Of Representatives in defeating the proposal to revise the mining laws of the United States and Delegate wckershams connection with it are attracting wide attention among mining men throughout the country and subjects Of great deal or comment n the newspapers and technical periodicals
 One of the Illuminating articles on the subject is from the pen of Charles Estmcre, United States Deputy Mineral Surveyor Of Flat in the IdtarOd dis trict The article appeared in the Engineering and Mining Journal of New York one of the worlds great est mining papers and is as follows
 see by the telegraphic report that the seem ngiy impossible has happened-the murdering or an infant In the Committee Mines of the House Of Representatives. apparently condemned without hearing. The governmental appoint meut of a commission for the revision of the mining laws such healthy baby too-ciean- cut wellbaanced: there were to be no ulcers on this baby when 1t grew to manhood Efficiency. safety. economy. equity and justice to all were stamped every part Of the foundation material of It's makeup.
 It was the product Of the cleanest and most comprehensive effort for the last 30 years by the greatest students and authorities of the mining world as well as by the greater number In the ca.re-the men who do things in the industry in ar number way It represented Co all intents and purposes the unanimous request of the people en- gaged in a wealthproducng industry practically
 
 laws pertaining to it be made contormabe to eX isting conditions resulting from the rapid rate Of progress being made in ali industries.
 The House Committee on Mines could not pos siby have been ignorant Of the practically unant nous request of the mining men Of the United States-not only the big fellows but the small fry as well-to simplify define and cover larger scope by new. not doctored. set of mining laws applying to and conforming 10 present advanced mining methods.
 We cry shame upon the members Of the House Committee who. through either garruous antlpathy to mining in general selfish motives. authorized the murder Of this cleancut healthy baby which. if not subsequently, innoculated with disease prevalent in the past, would have grown 70 manhood and become one Of the greatest factors in the economical and efficient development or one of the greatest industries of our country.
 But the thing is done However, It cannot be final. although undoubtedly delayed. for ulti- mately we will secure the remedy.
 And right here Is where 1 would suggest means Of hastening the remedy the application of a bit of mediclne-not pleasant to the taste but sure to eure-by the mining men Of the United States to the adverse members of the House Com mttee to which in my opinion, the latter have laid themselves open.
 When We meet with obstruction in traii that we can't get over or around. We remove it lt Is simply @ question of method.
 The method l would suggest in this instance is. that a fund-pretiy good size-be subscribed Co by the mining men of the country for the pur pose of defeating these adverse members for re- election The means Co be absolutely fair-by em- poying the best orators obtainable and educating their constituents to the fact that these men are not competent to represent any section of the country. because lack Of balance to concede to the just and necessary demand ot one of the greatest industries in the United States.
 If personal interest involved in the re- lection of the bin. so much the If merely antipathy or garrulousness. the charge Of ncom petence stl holds good. These men have handed the mining men lemon. and feel that the min ing men are duty bound to hand them a persim The Engineering and Mining Journal is in best position to start the ball rolling.
 Flat. Alaska, Jan. 29 1916
 Commenting upon this article. the New York Min ng and Engineering Journal in its editorial columns uggests that 1t is up to the mining men of Alaska