Gilpin observer., 1917-01-11
STATE METAL MINERS
HOLD BENEFICIAL SESSION


The fourth annual session of the
Metal Miners association, now being
held in Denver is perhaps the most |
interesting and far reaching of any
session ever held, inasmuch as its de- !
hberations pertain largely to the
smelling methods of our gold and sill |
yer ores as well as the by-products.
Also the investigation and taxation of
many of the large groups of mines,
held In idleness by few who pur-
chase large tracts of mining land and
hold them at excrbitant prices, as
well as royalties, from lessees, while
this same property is taxed on a
nominal valuation.
Gilpin, being the greatest early gold
producing county in the state, led the
convention in number of delegates,
about 20 of our large mine operators
and business men being present.
special committee was appointed
to name three highly qualified men,
bers to act as a commission to in
vestigate the smelters and probe into
their methods.
1t is proposed to have legislation
enacted creating this commi mission, to
be called the Colorado ore sales
commission" the nine members to be
named by the Metal Mining associa--
ton. the Colorado Scientific society
and the Colorado chapter Of the AM
erican Institute of Mining Engineers.
The commis ssion is to probe into the
smelling industry and to have full
power to compel testimony.
The proposal by the state tax COM
mission to assess mining property like
other property was defended by
George. w. Link of the commission,
and was opposed by President Bulk
ley Wells, ID. w. Strickland, C. E.
Andersen, George E. Collins, j. Clar-
ence Hersey and other delegates. The
mining men contended that any effort
to discuss mining property on a val
uation basis was impacticable, for
the reason that 1t was impossible to
arrive at any just basis for determin-
ing the value of mining property,
and because of the fact that the
Pre- ducts of the mine are fixed by
forces outside the control Of men en-
gagged in mining.
| These resolutions to be adopted or
rejected, by the association were to
have been presented Wednesday, but
the committee did not finish its work
and the resolutions will not be SUBJ
mftted until the latter part Of the
session today One of the resolu-
tons swill pertain to the regulation
OF smelters. A large percentage of
the association membership is at
present opposed to placing smelters
under the jurisdiction of the state
public utilities commission.
1t was brought out in discussion
that the, greatest drawback to min
Ing in many counties, was the ac-
quiring cf large groups Of mines by
individuals, who will neither work
r Ns-NAA@ hSi ouilcE thc odIn u
to be done by others, unless large
royalties are demanded as well as a
large and fictitious value for the
property. This method will also be
investigated by the commission as
well as by the tax beard.
Speaking on THE Benefit of Coun-
ty Organization" Robert Sayre of
Gilpin county, pointed out that only
through cooperation and organization
can Colorado mining men conduct
their enterprises with the greatest ef-
+ ficiency. He urged the organization
of county mining associations, suoh
as that of which Gilpin county now
boasts.
ut takes mere than the work of an
individual" he said, "to learn the
why's and the wherefores of taxes and
freight and smelter charges in the
mining industry. 1t takes the work
and moral force OF an organization
representative Of the interested in
dividuals. Consequently, mining men
should crgariZe themselves for mu-
tual benefit, If they wish the most
for their money and expect fairness