The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1922-12-28
Thursaay Deeember 2s. lggg.
IMPORTANT WORK OF BUREAU
OF MINES AND GEOLOGY.

on another page will be found
summary of the biennial report of tn,
state bureau of mines and geology
prepared by Francis A. Thomson, ex-
ecutive secretary which will be sub
mitted to the approaching session OF
the Legislature The establishment OF
this bureau a few years ago was a
somewhat delayed recognition of the
tremendous proved and potential value
of the mineral and kindred resources
of the state, and an examination of
the report covering its activities dur
ing the past two years will disclose
convincing evidence of the import
ance of the work of the bureau and
the desirability of making ample pro-
vision for its maintenance. In gener-
al terms the work of the bureau is
summed up in the following six para
graphs:
1. Stimulating mineral production
by geological and metallurgical in
yestigation and broadcasting of re-
suits.
2. Attracting outside capital to de-
velop our vast undeveloped mineral
resources.
3. Aiding the prospector and small
mine owner by giving reliable techni-
cal advice and assistance
4. Assisting agriculture, cities and
state institutions by geologic investi-
cations Of artesian water possibilities. |
5. Directing attention to petroleum
possibilities.
6. Cooperating with appropriate /
federal agencies and influencing fed I
eral expenditures within the state
The state bureau of mines and ge-
olgy is unique among state organiza-
tions in that it is controlled by non
salaried ex-omcio board composed of
the governor, state mine inspector,
dean of the school of mines and presi-
dent of the Idaho Mining association, /
and directed by an employee of the
state university without expense t
salary or office maintenance The
for its support is there
ore used exclusively for actually do
ng the work outlined above and the
of bulletins giving the
public the benefit of the results of its
Investigations.
Broadly speaking, the bureau Of
mines and geology provides the means
" which the knowledge gained :.
through practical and successful min
ng operations may be applied to the
discovery and development of mineral 7
eposits in new areas OF the state.
hat this is work Of the greatest i'm
ortance to the people of the state as
whole must be clearly evident when lC
le present Importance of the mining is
ldustry is considered along with the Il
disabilities of its expansion. for Ida st
. is essentially q mining stale prah. IA
bly, two thirds of it's area being pro- tn
srly classified as mineral in charac- pi
#. There is no industry that is so tn
osely interviewer with the prosperity tn
all the people Of the state as min ia
e. The development of a new min ha
al field makes habitable sections Of tn
70 state which before were barren ia
astes; provides transportation to in Ia
cessible areas; makes possible the ex
ilization of water power for genera mi
IN of electric energy not merely for pa
9 mines but for a widely scattered by
pulation; provides a market for the tn
mber and timber; maintains a tn,
sady all-year market for the pro- ed
cts of the range, farm and orchard; VIC
,reases the revenue of the state Gel
rough taxes on mining property and WI
ofits; supports the county govern rel
mt, swells the district school and wo
I'd funds by taxation. and indirectly ant
,reases the taxable property Of the "
tie. pla
Mining and even prospecting are no ma
ger conducted in the haphazard ans
ihion that once prevailed The for
lrch for new mines has been reduc- the
to a science based upon experience ing
d close study of conditions in con- the
ction with successful mining opera see
ms. and the bureau of mines and rea
olOgy is the means by which the 1T I