The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1918-04-18
A Discussion of the Proposed Law for
the Government Control of Mines
Engineering and Mining Journal.)

SxxO Nv VI II Ala - IA !
Engineering and Mining Journal)
The bill for mines control, which
has been roughly referred to as the
proposed mines dictatorship, has been
introduced in congress, and last week
there were hearings before the COM
mittee on mines and mining of the
house. In its present form the bill is
materially different from what was
originally contemplated, iron, copper
lead and zinc having been omitted
from it's terms, but unless the bill be
further amended there will be found
ample guise of authority for some
administrator to step in and under
take to regulate our copper, zinc and
lead mines and metallurgical works
upon the representation that their ores
produce anthony, arsenic, bismuth,
sulphur, or something else as bypro-
ducts.
The bill that is drawn follows the
the food and fuel administrations were
created, ignoring the radical difference
in conditions that exist in the mineral
industry. There are provisions for IL
censing operations, provisions against
boarding, provisions for fixing prices,
provisions for requisitioning mines,
plants, etc In brief, the bill is fully
regulatory (if the president sees fit to
act according to it's provisions) of. a
large part of the mining industry, and,
as we have previously pointed out,
duction of the major metals may be
brought under it's terms. In addition
thereto, there Is an appropriation of
$50,0O0,0OO with which to stimulate
production of any necessaries that are
deemed essential.
Stripped of its verbiage and it's reg
ulatory provisions, which may easily
be caused to become mischievous, the
purpose of this bill is fully described
in it's title: ITO provide further for the
national security and defense by en-
couraging the production, conserving
the supply and controlling the dstri-
button of those ores, metals and min
erals which have formerly been large
ly imported, or of which there is or
may be an INADEQUATE supply" Even
more specifically it is to increase the
production and control the use of man
ganese ore, chrome ore, graphite and
pyrites.
We are not convinced that there is
so serious an emergency in these min
erals as is represented by some of the
boards in Washington, but, taking it
for granted that there be, every loyal
citizen is bound to support the purpose
in principle. If 1T be necessary to ap-
propriate $50,000O00 for the purpose,
let that be done promptly, but let it
be done in the way that will best ac-
complish the purpose, an divest the
bill of provisions that are more likely
to blight the industry than to promote
it.
The production of all the minerals
whereof we are short, and whereof
there is any chance for development,
is at present being pushed feverishly
under the natural stimulus of high
prices. The main thought in the
pending bill is manfestly that we
81 rth
to do this persons who are unwilling
to become adventures, lest the mar
kets will not hold, must be guaranteed
against loss of capietal outlay. There
fore it is proposed that the govern
nent shall guarantee minimum prices
'or period mot exceeding two years."
IN other words, the government is to
become an underwater of business en-
erprises. There is obscurity regard
ng intentions in this particular. Sec.
a reads: THAT whenever the pres
dent shall find that an emergency
xists. requiring stimulation Of the
PRODUCTION Of necessaries, and that II
3 essential that the producers of nee
ssaries shall have the benefits of the
provided for in this section
Ie is authorized to fix
what, under specified
are reasonable guaranteed
rices, in order to assure such produ-.
ers a reasonable profit. I'll
'hereupon, the government of the I'm
ed States hereby guarantees every
roducer Of these specified necessar-
Is that he shall receive for
ny necessaries produced in reliance
pom this guarantee within the period
Of exceeding two years
rice not less than the guaranteed
rice. ~. In such regulations
le president shall prescribe the terms
nd conditions upon which any pro-
Icer shall be entitled to the benefits
such guaranty"
Up to this point the language OF