The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1921-01-27
FINDS FOR SUPPORT
INSPECTOR Of MINES
Governor Has Re-
commended Cut
in Estimate
JUSTICE FOR THE MINER
Request for Mining Insignifi-
cant as Compared With
Those for Agriculture

~ $4,000 for the support of thu
state bureau of mines anC
geology for the years 1921 and 1922
This is the same amount appropriate
ed by the last legislature and is the
amount requested by the bureau, and
from information received from Boise
this week the prospect is very good
for getting the full amount This is
very gratifying particularly to those
identified with the mining industry in
Idaho and should be to all other citi-
zens for the benefits that will come
to the commonwealth through the
work of the bureau of mines and ge-
ology are not confined to those who
are engaged in mining or who are
directly dependent upon that indus
try The work of the bureau during
the first two years of its existence
produced results which can not be
ignored by those who desire to see the
mineral resources of the state devel-
oped, and it is gratifying to know
that the governor has recognized the
Importance of this work by recon-
mending a continuance of support
The appropriation of 100000 means
that the state will have the benefit
Of an equal amount from the federal
government through cooperative
agreements with the United States
bureau of mines and the United
States geological survey, making $780,
600 available for field research and
experimental work in Idaho for this
and next year
Cuts Allowance for Mine Inspector.
1t is regrettabe that the governor /
should have a different attitude to-
ward the work of the state mine in
spector an office of first Importance |
not alone from an industrial stand
point. but from the standpoint of /
safety to the men engaged in mining. |
In fact, the protection of the lives of .
those engaged in this hazardous oc-
cupation was the primary purpose
back of the law creating the Office of /
mine inspector in Idaho. The posi-
tion naturally carried with it the OPP
portunity to collect much valuable
information respecting the mining in
dustry and the possibilities of min
eral development, and this was there
fore made a part of his official duty
requiring him to gather data on the i
mining industry and the mineral re-
sources of the state and publish the
same annually In compliance with
the law prescribing his duties, the
inspector of mines has rendered most
valuable service to the state. At the
same time he has faithfully carried
out the original and most essential
purpose of the law creating the Office
in seeing that safety and sanitary /
measures were adopted in the opera
ton of mines. The welfare of under
ground employees require that ample
provision be made for maintaining
the Office of mine inspector In spite
Of the Importance of the office, Gov
ernor Davis has recommended that
the estimated allowance submitted by
Stewart Campbell, Inspector be re-
dnced almost half Mr. CampbelPs
estimate of expense for two years
outside of salaries was $3.50, while
the governor has recommended to.
the Legislature that only $4,000 be al
lowed for the two years. The salary
Of the inspector is only $4,000 per {
year and salary of stenographer is
possibly $1,000, making the total an G
nual expense on account of salaries l
$4,000 or $1,000 for the two years COW
cred by the appropriation. Thus the q
maximum amount asked by the in
spector for two years is less than I
$4,000, and If it is not worth that r
much to the people of the state Of I
Idaho it might as well be abolished s
rather than continuing it in a crippled q
and inefficient condition. q
Mining Appropriation Compared O
With Agricultural.
A letter from a gentleman who is p
Intimately connected with the mining g
industry in Idaho refers to the atti- s
tude Of the governor toward the APP O
Preparation for the office of inspector a
OF mines in this language: t
Personally feel that the request i
which the mining industry makes Of t
the legislature at each session is ri C
diculously small in comparison with a
the amount of money which the min s
ing Industry brings to the state every s
year. Tn fact, we are asking for $50 d
VOO for the state bureau of mines and a