Bisbee daily review. [volume] (Bisbee, Ariz.) 1901-1971, 1918-02-10
EXPLANATION MADE
OF PROPOSED BILL
TO CONTROL METALS

Since It's organization in July. 1917,
the War Minerals Committee has been
studying some important phases OF the
mineral industry and its relation 10
winning the war. says a press letter
OF the State Bureau Of Mines. Out OF
this has come a realization that there
is imperative need for more definite
coordination than is possible without
direction by some government agency.
No privately controlled industry can
have the detailed knowledge OF war
needs or control OF all its supplies and
markets to be able to effect the adjust
ment OF its activities necessary for
war purposes. Known shortages OF
essential minerals confront US unless
immediate steps are taken TO stimu-
late and develop the mining activities
needed To authorize this necessary
governmental activity the committee
has drawn a bill which has been pre-
scented to the mines committee in both
houses OF congress, and TO the various
war boards interested in the matter.
Il Is believed that the control of the
mineral and allied industries provided
must be authorized either by the pas
sage Of this bill. or by Incorporating il
in some broader piece of legislation.
If the industries concerned are TO be
enabled 10 bring their full energies TO
bear on the winning of the war
The bill is modelled on the Food Con-
troll Act and extends its provisions TO
cover the mineral industry and those
industries whose materials come from
it The sections Of the bill are briefly
outlined and explained in the follow
ing statement.
Section l. This gives the President
power TO carry out any or all OF the
provisions of the bill whenever it is
necessary. in his judgment, for the
winning of the war. Defines 'neces-
saTy' as ores and minerals. products
derived from them, and chemicals
Section , The President is empow-
cred to create and use the Organiza-
lions necessary for carrying out the
provisions of the bill
Section. 3. This section is exactly
like that in the Food Control Act.
which forbids any person carrying out
the provisions OF the bill from being
pecuniarily interested in any contracts
made under it
Section f. This section makes it IN
lawful to destroy or willfully waste
necessities" or to hoard. or mon0pc-
lie. or to limit distribution or prOduc
ton Of such articles.
Section ;. The President is EN-
powered to license the importation.
mining. manufacturing. storage. or dis
tTibution Of the articles covered in the
bill: and 20 regulate the licenses as
may be necessary. This section is the
one under which much of the cOordi-
nation needed would be effected. Il
would not entail government operation I
but would leave the business in the
owners hands. and would not neces-
salfly 90 further than to direct his ac-
tivities in a way most effective for
winning the war II is necessary to
have this authority in order to make
possible the curtsilment of the waste |
OF labor and material in the prOduc- |
ton Of unnecessary Injuries
Section 6. This section fOrbids the J
boarding of products Of the mineral !
and allied industries and defines hoard
ing as the accumulation of supplies
(a1 not reasonably needed for the bus
mess OF the owner. or tb} for the pur-
Section Z This section gives the
President power to condemn and sell
boarded articles.
Section & 3. Penalty clauses Ex-
actly as in Food Control Act.
Section 10 The President is en-
powered to requisition such articles .
as are covered by the bill. and pro-
vides he means for Justly cOmpensat-
ing the owner The necessity for this
section lies in the fact that unwise or
unpatriotic persons otherwise might
be able TO ing.5t upon directing their
produces to p-nessential uses
Section y This section provides
the power - buy store. and sell the
articles covered by the bill One of
the most obvious needs to be served
ny this section viii be the stimulation
Of small producers Minerals OF crit
cal importance oftentimes occur in
small deposits. Difficulty and misun-
derstanding between buyer and miner
has resulted in discOuraging the min
er. and production is only a fraction
Of what il would be if the government
were To buy the ores at a standard
fair price and control the market.
Proper action under this section would
go far 10 help fill our demands for
mica. graphite, chrOmite. manganese.
tungsten and other minerals that are
found only in small quantities.
Section u The President is en-
powered to take over and operate any
mineral deposit, mine. or plant This
power should in general be used as a
last resort, when other powers rail II
must be available for emergencies.
however One Irur,orfanf denosit Of a
much needed mineral which we have
10 import al present IS not operating
because OF litigation. The government
must have power to take over and OPP