Gilpin observer. (Central City, Colo.) 1897-1921, 1916-12-07
METAL MINERS WILL. WORK
FOR NEEDED LEGISLATION

The fourth annual meeting Of the
Colorado Metal Mmdhg association
will be held at the Brown Palace ho-
tel in Denver on january 8, and g.
A large delegation OF the mining men
from Gilpin county should be pres
emit, as matters matsrdally effecting
the industry I'm which they are vitel-
iy concerned wiN be discussed and
a course outlined to procure from the
incoming legislature laws that will
benefit mining. Among the ques-
tions coming UP for consideration tali
year are tile following:
Repeal of mine taxation laws. 1t
is we'll known that the present law
regarding the taxation of producing
mines is not satisfactory to the Col
orado Tax Commission and that an
effort will be made at the next ses-
sion OF the legislature to repeal it
and enact in its stead more dras-
tic law imposing unjust and burden
some taxes on producing mines as
we'll as increasing, for taxation pur-
poses, the values placed on nonpro-
dnctive mining claims.
Radical changes are proposed re-
garding the Industrial Commission; /;
i'm fact it is proposed to entirely
abolish 1t. An effort will be made
no repeal the provision requiring 80
days notice before strike or lock-
out can take place and other changes
are suggested which vitality affect
both the employer and employee.
At the annual meeting last Febln-
airy resolution was adopted favor
ing action by the association, for
the purpose of securing the enact
ment of law at the next session
of the legislature placing smelters,
samplers and ore buyers under the
control CT the Public Utilities Com
mission.
At this meeting the matter will
come mp for a carefully considered
and definite plan of action by the
Association. The question will be
discussed from the standpoint Of all
PARTIES concerned end will be one of
the most interesting features of the
meeting.
The meeting will discuss the ques-
tion OF placing tariff ON tungsten
ores to protect the producer OF this
metal in this country from the flood
of foreign ores that is expected to
follow the European war. AS an
aside, the Observer goes on record
as being strenuously opposed to This
tariff program because it will mean
THAT the public will have to bear the
additional charge that the tariff will
impose, that small number Of tung-
stem producers reap a rich profit.
A bin is now pending before con-
gress which provides for radical
changes in federal mining laws.
These amendments affect apex rights
width and length of mining claims,
procedure Of location and contains
many features pronounced objection
able by mining men who have con-
sidered the proposed bill. A special
committee appointed by President
Wells to consider the bill has report
ed adversely thereon
Continued withdrawal from devei'
opment Of public lands supposed to
contain oil. coal, potash or other min
erals; persistent Efforts to withdraw
lands containing uranium or radfnm
bearing ores; segregation Of water
power sites and conf'scation of min
eral lands for national parks are NIL
questions OF vital Importance 10 the
communities affected, and demand
united action ON tie part OF the peo'
Pile OF olhs state to prevent SERIOUS
INJURY to the metal mining industry.
A most interesting and Instructive
discussion OF these questions will
take place al, the annual meeting.
Job printing at the Observer.