The Alaska daily empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1912-1926, 1920-10-27
CRICSbY WILL
LEAD FIGHT FOR
M'FADDEN BILL
Alaska Delegate Expected to
Take Lead in Discussion for
Gold Bonus Measure.

Among the first matters which Del,
egate George B. Grigsby expects to
take up when he reaches Washington
after Congress meets in December
will be the McFadden Gold Bonus
Bill upon which it is proposed to
hold hearings before the holiday re-
cess. Delegate Grigsby and Gov.
Thomas Riggs, Jr., are already on
record in favor of this measure Del
agate Grigsby is expected to take a
measure.
Delegate Grigsby contends that the
McFadden Bill. which proposes to tax
gold used in the arts and manufac-
turing and to pay the producers of
gold $40 an ounce bonus on their
product, is practicable and just He
Gays the operation of the present
law is equivalent to giving a subsidy
to those using gold in manufacturing
and the arts for the reason that they
ere getting it at less than it costs
20 produce it. All other metals and
materials that enter into manufac-
turing and the arts, said Mr.. Grigsby,
costs the consumer from so per cent
upward more than formerly. Gold
only has remained stationary, at a
fixed price because of the law which
arbitrarily says gold shall be worth
S20.67 an ounce, and because the Gov
eminent will sell it to those who
need it at that price. 1t would be
IN easy matter for the Government
% increase the price SO an ounce
COR all gold entering into manufac-
'uring, and it would Immediately
~esult if the Government would i'm
nediately place tax of $40 an ounce
IN all gold used in manufactured
IN ounce for all that is sold in the
'uture That would enable the Gov
'rnment to pay $40 an ounce bonus
IN new gold, and it would immediate
y raise the price of it should any
manufacturer desire to purchase gold
rom a private producer. No one
would sell the gold for a lower price
han he can get from the Govern
nent.
Delegate Grigsby is now preparing
himself to make vigorous fight for
he McFadden bill before the com
nittees of House and Senate and on
he floor of the House.
Sulzer Started Agitation
The movement to secure a bonus
Or the production of gold was start
d in Washington by the late Dele
ate Charles A. Sulzer. Mr.. Sulzer
rot all the members of Congress of
old producing states together in
91S, and after considerable discuss
on got them to approve of the plan.
rhe matter was then submitted by
Delegate Sulzer to Secretary of the
Treasury William G. CcAdoo. who APP
roved of the idea. From that, the
citation throughout the country
itarted 1t has since that time been
.pproved by various mining and en-
cheering organizations. Representa-
i've Louis T. McFadden of Pennsyl-
yania introduced a bill last winter
carry the bill into the statute
books, and that measure has been
urged by all of the friends of the
aroject since that time.
Gov. Riggs on Record
A letter written by Gov Riggs, from
Juneau May s, 1920. regarding this
natter was as follows
My dear Congressman:
81 am in hearty accord with the
bill OF. r. 132OD, introduced by you
n the House of Representatives. as
being the only measure so far advo-
'ated which, while not pushing gold
a premium, still stimulates produc-
ion by allowing governmental assis-
lance to the producer of the virgin
METAL.
Alaska last year stood third II
ank of the gold producing states
md territories, but even then gold
production has steadily dwindled, as
compared with preceding years. I'm
IL 1917 gold production was consider
ID the Territory's basic industry, as
more men were permanently employ
I'd in gold mining than any other oc-
aupation, Now gold mining is sec
ondary TO other forms of develop
ment. Unless the present costs of
production are reduced or the miner
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