The copper era and Morenci leader., 1916-09-15
HAYDEN WORKS FOR MINING ON INDIAN
 RESERVATION

In support of his bill opening Indian reservation lands to prospecting and mineral development, Congressman Carl Hayden said, in the house of rep resentatives, on Sept. 4:
 q will state to the gentleman from Wisconsin that as introduced this bill applied to the state of Arizona only, and it was at the suggestion of the de- partment of the interior that the change was made making it apply to all the western states. As far as am concerned, my chief interest is to see the bill apply to Arizona, because I know the conditions in my state, and am satisfied that this bill is work able there.
 No one who is at all familiar with the facts doubts that valuable deposits of gold, silver, copper and other metal iferous minerals are to be found in the various Indian reservations in Arizona and the other western states. The eX- istence of many of such deposits has been known for many years, but in the absence of suitable legislation these resources have remained undeveloped. Without either the skill or the capital that is required to conduct successful mining operations, it has been impos- sible for the Indians to obtain any benefit from the minerals that lie unused in their lands. I have there fore introduced this bill in the hope that it will provide a workable plan whereby the mining industry, partic- ularly of my own state, will be pro- noted for the benefit of the Indians and the white people alike.
 You will note that this act applies only to Indian lands that have been heretofore withdrawn from entry un. der the mining laws, so that it will in no way interfere with mining on any Indian reservation where the same is now authorized by existing law. This is likewise true of reservations where the title to the mineral in the lands has not passed to the Indians, as in the case of the Papago reservation in Arizona. When that reservation was created the president wisely deter, mined that the Papagos had acquired no right to the minerals in their coun. try, because they have made no at. tempt to mine them, and in the ex- ecutive order establishing the Papago reservation it is specifically stated that the mineral lands within the re. servation are to remain open to en. try under the mining laws It would have been much better if such a pro- vision had been included in the ex- ecutive orders by which the other res. ervations were created; but this was ] not done, so that the minerals have been given to the Indians, and there is now no other way to proceed except to recognize their ownership.
 T am well aware that there are many members of the house who ob- ject to the adoption of a leasing sys- 1 tenn, and I am in accord with them in opposing the payment of royalties for the privilege of mining for metal ferrous minerals on the public domain We must not forget, however, that the lands which may be leased under the provisions of this bill are the tribal property of the Indians and that it has not been the policy of the government to permit mining on Indian reserva, tions under the general mining laws except in the case of the Papago re- servation, to which I have just refer red Since the lands in all of the other reservations have been set aside for the exclusive use and benefit of the Indians we must recognize that they are entitled to receive the same income from their property as any other private proprietor.
 ! 50 far as the Indians are concern | ed now is the opportune time to pass l this bill. The present high prices that are received for all the metals makes it certain that the enactment of the measure into law will mean i development of many valuable mines so that the Indians will soon be re- ceiving an income from royalties and rentals that will be of great assist ance in advancing their civilization I am satisfied that within a very few years after this bill is in operation a number of Indian tribes will be re. ceiving enough money from this source to provide for their education and support, so that it will be nc l longer necessary for congress to ap propriate funds from the treasury ! for this purpose.
 ! The bill, which was passed without dissenting vote, is calculated to do i'm measurable good to the mining indus. try of the state. It opens to the pros pector and miner all the rich areas of the Indian reservations heretofore it has been unlawful for prospectors to enter. At the same time it safe guards the rights of the Indians by requiring that lands operated for min ing or smelting purposes shall pay a fair rental annually to the govern ment.