Tombstone epitaph., 1921-05-08
EXEMPTION FROM ASSESSMENT WORK

\ move is again foot to have a resolution passed
through Congress providing exemption for assessment
work on mining claims for the present and next
year During the past several years exemption al
lowed the basis that all were needed for useful
production of metals and minerals Now the plea is hard
times and poverty The argument put forward the
present time is that the snetel being closed there is no
place to which the prospector ship and thus get
enue.
There distinctly two sides the question. There
is no question that there are many men who deserve t"
have their claims exempted from work dur
lug the current But laws must be made to suit the
greater number The prospectorS themselves not
unit in desiring exemption Probably the greatest adj
vantage that has come from this exemption has been
that it is almost impossible TO clear title 70
mining property.
There is that has recently up III Arizona
courts where company purchased certain claims did
thousands of dollars worth of work finally granted
patent to their ground by the only find
that this ground had been located and that had
been exempted under the law and their title i not clear
Every possible precaution used in looking up title to
this ground but the usual description mining ground is
usually that il might apply To almost any piece
Of ground The longer that exemption is granted the
more litigation going to have over land titles.
inder the law granting exemption it has been pos
sble for stake and hold immense acreage
and three hundred claims. holding them without amy
penSe and hoping that some VIII come along who Will
buy at least part of them. This has retarded develop
ment and trans ers of mining property to very consd
cradle extent the prices often asked for absolutely
developed ground were often prohlbltve
The argument that the slnelterS closed and there
for revenue to the prospector is weak
there Is not III hundred VINO could snip anything
to the Smeer and those who could ship have been keep
ing their work up right along.
The extension of the time for the doing OF the 1920
assessment work to June Both not signed and made
law until December }1St and il known in the
ority of the mining camps until the first day of January
THE prospectos who really desired hold their claims
were taking chances the resolution becoming law
that late date and they had started their assessment
work before they knew that extension had been
granted
There undoubtedly many where the cond-
tons warrant extension of time and where hardship
might be created the law enforced but the question
that Congress will have determine is whether the
greatest good will be done by >uslendnc
work or by requiring it, Meanwhile the proSpector who
holds his legitimate number OF II 20 10 claims
is doing and has been doing his work and has
probably done it all during the period when he did not
have order avoid possible litigation like the
case mentioned above.
The prospectOr is worthy Of every possible consider
alton and the writer has heard many of them express
condemnation for the who have abused the privileges
Of the law The shutting down of the large mines has
many into the hills do the work
on their claims and when June Both there will be
very few prospccors who have done the necessary
work and those who have done it, will be- for the
could possibly get it all done Even they will have
selected their best bets and held them by doing the
sy work. The longer the period of exemption is kept
up the greater the amount OF litigation that will have
clo. already busy courts the less money will
have spent upon development by those who nwlin"
10 take a chance with titles.