The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1919-07-10
SHOULD SUSPEND
ASSESSMENT WORK
Miners of the West
are Entitled to
Relief
WRITE CONGRESSMAN
WRITE CONGRESSMAN
Conditions Make Passage of
Resolution Matter of JUS
tice to Miners


when the necessity for ex-
empting mining claims from
annual assessment work was
more urgent than it is this year, and
every holder of unpatented mining
claims, whether it be an individual or
corporation, should do all he can to
impress this fact upon some member
Of congress. Representatives from
mining states will no doubt appreci-
ate the importance Of passing an ex-
emption resolution, but they should
be urged to use their influence with
other members who are not familiar
with the mining industry and partic-
ularly the conditions that prevail in
the mining districts of the west. II
congress understands this condition,
there is no doubt that the desired re-
lief will be forthcoming, and 1t Is up
to the people of the mining states to
see that they are thoroughly inform
ed. Many metal mines throughout
the west are closed down and all 9TH
ers have curtailed their output on ac-
count of the depressed condition of
the metal market. The situation Is
made worse by the shortage Of labor
to meet even the reduced require
ments. The unsatisfactory condition
of mining has necessarily had a cor
responding effect upon business in
the mining districts generally and
upon all occupations dependent upon
the operation of the mines Add to
these the high wages and the high
prices of all material and supplies
that enter into the performance of as
sessment work on mining claims,
and the justice Of the relief asked by
the miners must be apparent. Under
these circumstances the doing of an
nual assessment work this year and
in all probability next year will prove
a heavy burden upon all claim own
ers, and in many cases 1t may prove
a positive impossibility which will re-
suit in loss of claims which have been
held for years through faithful COM
plance with the law.
Mining Association Active.
1T is highly gratifying to know that
the Idaho Mining association Is max
ing its influence felt in support Of the
proposed exemption act. This organ
ization Is representative of the entire
state, and its chief purpose is to pre-
sent the views of the mining indus
try of Idaho in all matters of legisla-
ton in connection with mining. It
has already accomplished much good
emergency it's attitude should have
much weight with congressman in de-
termining their action on the exemp-
tion resolution. In this connection 1t
cial bodies throughout the state would
adopt resolutions favoring the ex-
emption Of mining claims from annu-
al assessment and forward them to
either Congressman French or Smith.
Raker Resolution Favored.
From information received by the
Miner, the sentiment of the people of
| this district is in favor of the Raker
resolution, which provides for the ex-
| emption of annual assessment work
| until December 81 of the year follow
| ing the conclusion of peace, which
means December 81, 1920 We are
now in the last half of the year 1919,
and while all are hopeful Of improved
business and mining conditions before
the year is much further advanced, II
must be admitted that there Is little
upon which to base the hope. Prices
Of all commodities seem to be ad-
vancing rather than receding. Metal
prices have advanced, but the condi-
ton Of the metal market does not
suggest return to a stable, normal
condition. That prosperity for the
mining industry will come back. there
can be no doubt. The world must
have the metals, but there are so
many conflicting interests and condi-
ttions to be adjusted that 1t Is not i'm
probable that the readjustment may
require a longer time than has been
anticipated In fact, it has taken
longer already. 1t is therefore not un-
reasonable to ask that the exemption
from assessment work shall include
1920. The miners did not fail the
government in war, and they only ask
fair and just treatment at the hands
Of the government vile getting rees-
tabished on a peace basis.