The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1921-02-24
MACBETH SAYS MEETING
OF MINERS BEST EVER
FIGHT AGAINST 640- ACRE HOME
STEAD-SAYS FALL FINE
FOR INTERIOR.

time, although it is possible that he
may be called to Boise in the mean
time on mining business. During the
past year Mr.. Macbeth has spent the
most of his time in Washington in
order to keep in close touch with all
matters pertaining to the metal min
ing industry in Idaho that may come
before congress or the departments.
lie will remain in the west until the
new congress is organized. Mr.. Mac
beth is quite enthusiastic over the
success of the recent meeting of the
Idaho Mining association at Boise
and pronounces it the most success
FIJI session that has ever been held.
This he attributes to the fact that
instead of having a program made
no of specially prepared papers,
which are seldom of q character that
induce animated discussion. the pro-
gram was merely an announcement
of subjects that would come before
the association and which resulted in
drawing out general discussion on
every division of the program SO in
teresting was the first day that on
the second and last day the attend
auce was larger than the first. a sit
uation Just the reverse Of the rule
Enlarged Homestead.
The association condemned the 64O-
acre homestead law as being detri-
mental to the mining industry and
authorized the executive officers to
take legal steps if necessary to re-
lieye the prospector of its onerous
provisions. The 6tO-acre homestead
law was passed in the interest of
stock men in order to provide range
for their herds. but the dry land far
mers have taken advantage of it to
an extent that many of the big stock
men are now clamoring for its repeal,
said Mr. Macbeth Under its opera
ton mining claims that have been
held for years under the mining laws
may be included in one of these large
homesteads, resulting in the owner
either losing his property or mourning
a heavy expense in submitting proof
of his rights in the land office. And
even when no mining claims are in
cluded. the large homestead law re-
suits in entries being made of land
that is clearly mineral in character.
as the government has made no class
ihoation of land so far as the opera
ton of this law is concerned The !
prospector is therefore excluded from
much land that might prove to con-
tain valuable minerals.
Classify the Land.
Mr. Macbeth says that attorneys /
have been retained on behalf of the |
mining association to investigate the |
enlarged homestead law, and that
they seem disposed to attack its con-
stitutionality. lie believes that this
would very probably prove sue
cessfu eventually, but it is his opin-
ion that quick action could be obtain
ed by taking a specific mining loca-
ton which has been included in a
homestead entry. submit proof as to
the mineral character of the land and
pass it up to the commissioner OF the
general land office to decide If the
land is mineral and so held by the
it is not subject to en- :
try under the provisions of the gen
eral homestead law If this should
prove successful it is believed that
the government could be induced to =
make a classification aof land. estab-
fishing an area in which homestead
entries would not be permitted
Mineral Exhibit.
At the recent meeting of the min
ng association resolution was pass
Ell urging the legislature to provide n
or a permanent exhibit of the Pana- in
ma Pacific mineral collection in the In
.apitol A small appropriation for
his purpose is included in the gem o.,
rial appropriation bill now before the O.,
ceislature and Mr. Macbeth is hope p,
tl that it viii pass o..
Tariff Protection. i'm
The most important question now be
efore the mining operators OF Idaho ii.
5 the tariff on lead, said Mr. Mac nj
eth. The state association went on PC
ycord in favor of a tarn of two cents en-
er pound on all forms of imported u
.ad, and Mr. Macbeth expressed con- pc
dence that the new congress will Bs
i've the metal ample protection. the sp
enofcial effects Of which would be 'T
IMMEDIATE. eX
Fall Fits the Place. ma
Asked how he liked the selection of err
nator Fan. of New Mexico. for sec
.tary of the interior i'm President
cabinet Mr. Macbeth pro-
1rnced the choice the best that could ln.
I'VE been made He said he knew
.rator Fan personally. and that his
81 estimate Of him was in line with Bu
e attitude of western senator's and see
generally IDA
lisl
80,