The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1920-03-18
A DEPARTMENT OF MINES
INDUSTRY DEMANDS IT
EXPANSION OF MINING BEYOND
FUNCTIONS OF sU6oROlN-
ATE BUREAU.

mere has never been a time SO OPP
Fortune for presentation to the con-
gress of the United States of the
claim of the mining industry for en-
larged recognition in the administra-
ton in the affairs of the nation, says
the Mining Congress Journal.
The war created many new condi-
tions. developed many new and valu-
able phases of the mining industry
and proved conclusively that the ma
ton must at all times depend for ba-
sic supplies upon the mineral, coal and
oil producers of America.
Industrially, financially and strateg-
ioally, the mining industry as whole
is the greatest collective American
industry. and second in importance
not even to food production.
Outgrown the Bureau.
The T. S bureau Of mines, as now
constituted, was brought into life by
the efforts of the American Mining
congress. When the bureau was Gre
ated it would have been impossible to
have secured the passage of a law
creating a department of mines with
representation in the cabinet, but the
developments Of the past two years
have shown the necessity to the min
ing industry of having an independ-
ent creative organization with powers
Of initiative, which could present its
plans direct to the president and have
the benefit of executive action based
on a complete knowledge Of all facts
involved, rather than a bureau devoid
Of power to express itself and de-
pendent upon the final decision of a
departmental head who may not have
comprehensive information of the real
issues nor the time in which to be-
come familiar Herewith.
Change Without a Difference.
1t has also been shown conclusively }
we believe that the enlarged develop /
ments of the mines of America are |
requisite to the further development /
o fpeace time commerce throughout
the nation.
A movement is now on foot, foster
ed by eminent engineers, who we be-
heve are thoroughly sincere in their
desire to reorganize the department [
of the interior and to establish a de-
partment of works into which depart
ment shall be transferred the bureau
of mines and the geological survey.
The American Mining congress
strongly favors the establishment of
such governmental agency as win CO.
ordinate the construction and public
works of the government, for there is
ample reason for such organization;
but we wish to call attention very
positively to the fact that the trans
fer of the bureau of mines and the ge-
illogical survey to new department
would be no improvement, upon the
situation as it now exists and would
continue to prevent a definite express
sion of the needs of the mining indus
try in administrative affairs.
Mining Can Stand Alone.
Geological investigation and metal
lurgdcal research have no special re-
lation to river and harbor improve
ments, irrigation systems nor the con-
struction of public buildings. These
activities of the govern
ment should be brought nto more har-
monious working relations, but it does
not follow that such organization shall
be represented in the cabinet because
its problems are technical and do not
require the application of the discre-
tionary powers of the president on
the other hand, the development of
mining presents problems extremely
varied and comprehensive. The exec
ltive discretion is frequently eXercis-
ed and the president should have the
first hand information of a cOnfden-
-ial adviser who has practical as we'll
rs theoretical knowledge of every
condition underlying the problems :
Ealing for solution.
The mining industry is strong
enough to stand upon its own feet to
leclare its desires in this matter and
o insist upon occupying a position =
with the Importance of q
he industry. a