The Cordova daily times., 1917-01-12
that Is inimical to his best interests Foreign Countries Aid Proepectors.

| that iS lnlnlCal 10 ms pest interests
 Foreign Countries Aid Prospectors.
 Many foreign countries have fol
 some time been extending aid to the
 prospector, both educational and per
 sonal. Therefore, in order to complete
 any system for the help of the pros
 pector, it will be necessary to estab
 fish this personal relationship between
 the prospector and the government.
 Prom the successful experience ot
 the bureau of mines in educating the coal miner in matters Of safety, the inference may be drawn that no less success would be attained in extend. ing personal aid to the prospector, but with different purpose This favor. able result emphasizes the fact that the most successful government is the one which anticipates the needs of those upon whom it depends for sup port.
 The personal aid from a govern ment to the prospector can no better be illustrated than by recounting an experience on the Queen Charlotte is. lands, off the coast of British Colum- bia, in 1908. In the month of Feb ruary l landed at Jedway, on Moresby island, amid the excitement of a cop per discovery. On the same boat was shipped by the government a port able house for the mining recorder, complete set of record books, etc, a portable prison, a mining recorder and a force of men to build trails, fully equipped and provisioned. While many prospectors went in, there was no confusion; individual rights were clearly defined and protected; and the prospectors had every opportunity to devote their time to prospecting rath- CT than to building trails. Shortly after came the technical branch of the government service to counsel and ad- wise the prospector and to publish authentic reports, which were follow. ed by the capitalists engineer, and the financial assistance to the pros. pector who had developed likely prospect The mining industry based upon so sound a promise of federal action is bound to be progressive and flourish to the utmost This is an excellent investment of public funds, judging from the results. One should not wonder why so many prospectors go to Canada when they know that this vital assistance will be rendered.
 Practical Lectures In Winter.
 During the winter months a course of practical lectures is given for the benefit of the Canadian prospector. From these lectures on the mineral ogy, methods of mining and milling, and the interpretation of mining law. the prOspector gains a grasp Of the larger problems of the industry in which he is engaged. He is also bet. ter able to estimate his position with respect to capital when he IS about to close deal for his prospect.
 The United States bureau of mines is naturally adapted and organized to assume these functions Of personal aid to the prospector. There is no need more pressing than this construc- tive program. Congress must fully recognize the responsibility of our government to control the future of a great industry by creating a sound foundation for further progress. It will not require a big appropriation because the means of accomplishment have been partly provided in the es- tablishment of experiment stations throughout the United States and Alaska. In fact, to expand the activi. ties of the bureau Of mines so as to include the personal service would be to return more dividends from an in vestment already made.
 Now that the general activity of mining Is so much improved over past years. there would seem to be a most favorable opportunity to start this work For the same reason there also appears a still greater need for direct ing and conserving the efforts Of the