The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1917-03-08
ACCIDENT N MINES
Continued from Page 81

pui poSSS III UNDERGROUND WinZ
operations in such regions where othe
power isn't available or conditions d.
not warrant the capital risk involve,
in supplying electric power. Gasolin,
deny small operators the economi,
advantage of it's use in the dry re.
gions would be to retard the progress
of new development Wherever q
mine has assumed a condition of pro
fitable operation from proven ore re-
sources the underground use of gaso-
line should be prohibited by law.
Mineral Exhibit.
At the San Francisco fair the Idaho
mineral resources were represented by
che of the finest and most complete
exhibition displays of commercial ores
and minerals of any state in the
Union. While not a show case ex-
hibit of fancy specimens, it probably
contained as large list and as big a
variety of commercial ores as was
ever gotten together by any state. At
and returned to Boise, and later,
through the influence of the Idaho
Mining association. was taken out of
storage and spread out in we'll class
flied and arranged exhibit on the
ground floor of the state house annex
west of the main capitol building,
where 1t is now available to visitors
as a splendid exhibit of Idaho's varied
mineral resources. This handsome
display of minerals is without the ad-
vantage Of paid caretaker. 1t cost
considerable money to collect, and is
more representative of the state min
ing districts as whole than any ex-
hibit that was ever previously collect
ed and very valuable advertisement
of the developed and undeveloped ore
resources of the state.
IT is worthy of maintenance for the
benefit of the mining prospector and
prospective investor in Idaho mineral
resources, and a small appropriation
should be made for a caretaker to be
put in permanent charge for the pur-
pose of maintaining and adding to the
exhibit and affording a source of in
formation at the capital of the state
for the beHefit Of intending investors,
especially in connection with the num-
erous very promising mineral re-
sources Immediately tributary to the |
capital.
State Mineral Land.
The state of Idaho owns million
acres of mountain timber and pasture
lands. A large proportion of this /
area is unfit for agricultural pur-
poses and always will be, by reason T
Of its deep Typographical conditions,
and a good deal of it is very desirable
prospecting territory that may con-
tain valuable and workable deposits
of mineral in addition to it's surface
values in timber and grazing advan-
tages. These principal mineral val
les, however involve all the expensive
risks of preliminary development to
determine whether or not pay ore
bodies exist. This extensive area,
however, is a land title reserve against
a prospector and a petition has re-
Gently been received from a vrey like
ly territory in Clearwater county ask
ing IL the constitution permits that the
state land be thrown open to the pros
pector for mineral Investigation with
the privilege of location as is now en-
joyed on government land and pro-
lection of his efforts and labors by be-
ing given the advantage of a subse-
quent preference purchase from the
state of such lands as he is DESTROYS
of developing, after proper valuation
by the agents of the state land board.
Such a law would enhance the
surface values of the land and especi-
ally in more remote districts and would
facilitate it's disposition and sale.
Colorado, believe has such statute
as an aid to mining development, and
heartily endorse the consideration Of
this petition by the coming session Of
the Legislature as specific aid to
the State and in line with the new con- .
stitutional amendment to facilitate the
disposition of State land holdings.
State Geological Survey
There are few States in the
Union that are without the services of
a State Geological. Survey, and Idaho
is one of the few. There is no State
in the Union that affords richer,
more varied or more warranted field
for the activities of such a public in
In common with the
Nation at large, the dominant industry
Of Idaho. at this time. is admittedly
agriculture In it's varied phases.
Agriculture in this State does and
Justly should receive the largest con- !
sideration of public support and en-
The Idaho farmer
however is at very serious geo.
graphic disadvantage by reason of the
excessive railway haulage charge in
volved to market his products. which
often takes all his possible profit in
railway charges. This is not due to
excessive railway charges, as an
analysis Of freight rates will show that
the per ton miles haulage cost of farm