The Alaska daily empire., 1916-07-10
ALASKA ENGINEERS DISAPPROVE ACTION
 OF WICKERSHANI
Delegates vilifcation of Engineer ing Societies Resented by North ern Society, which Expresses
 Its Extreme Displeasure

The Mining and Engineering So- clety fof Alaska has passed resolu- tions expressing its resentment of the action of Delegate James Wick ersham in appearing before the com mittee on mines and mining Of the National House Of Representatives in opposition to the proposal to amend the United States mining laws and denouncing the members of the American Institute Of Ameri- can Mining Engineers and dozen or so other mining and engineer ing societies, and its feeling Of 1 humiliation at being represented in Congress by one whose chief method of argument against the bill was defamation of character" The so- ciety expressed it's disapproyal of | the action of Delegate Wickersham, and it's approval of the bill provid- ing for commission to suggest amendments to the mining laws the bill which Delegate Wickersham opposed.
 The resolutions of the Mining and Engineering Society of Alaska are as follows:
 WHEREAS a serious endeayor has been made to correct defects in the . 5O-year-old mineral land laws O. the ! United States in order that they will be In harmony with the various changes resulting from the general advancement in the mineral indus try and can, therefore, adequately meet present day requirements; and
 WHEREAS various professonal and scientific organizations, such as the American Institute of Mining ! Engineers, The American Mining | Congress, The Mining and Metallur- gical Society, The Idaho State Min ing Association, The Montana Soci- ety of Engineers, The California Me- tai Producers Association, The Spo-
 kane Mining Mems Club, The Ne vada Mine Operators Association, the Colorado Scientific Society, to- gether with representatives from several chambers of commerce and
 from operating mines have harmon iously united in an effort tc secure the passage Of a bill by Congress ito provide a commission to codify and suggest amendments to the gen. eral mining laws, and
 WHEREAS, there appeared be- fore the Committee on Mines and | Mining of the House of Represen- tatives engineers from the above or ganizations, acting as authorized delegates. and who command the re- spect and confidence of their respec- tive societies, and whose motives, honesty and sincerity of purpose are not Co be question, and,
 Y WHEREAS, the Hon. James Wick ersham, Delegate from Alaska, who also appeared before the House Com imittee on Mines and Mining, chose Co attack the personalities of these engineers, as well as their honesty and motives, and through his abuse and ribaldry brought the people of ] Alaska into ridicule and contempt,
 RESOLVED, That the Alaska Min ing and Engineering Society assem- bled at Juneau go on record as eN- pressing its earnest disapproyal of the tactics adopted by the Hon. Jas. ! Wickcrsham, and to express their | feeling Of humiliation at being rep resented in Congress by one whose chief method of argument against the bill was defamation of charac- ter.
 RESOLVED, That we as engineers of Alaska are convinced that the eff forts of the engineers appearing be- for the House were honest and sin cere, and that the passage of the bill would have resulted in good, not only for the entire country but for | Alaska in particular.
 RESOLVED. That it is the sense of the Alaska Mining and Engineer ing Society, that the House Commit tee madG a grave mistake in fail ing to act favorably upon the bill, as to the best of our judgment a commission organized as provided by the bill will be the most efficient and prompt means of revising the mining laws benedcially.
 RESOLVED, That due publicity be given these resolutions and that they be sent forthwith to the va rious societies. engineering papers and public officials chiefly con ! pprnpd