The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1923-01-18
GOV. MOORE AND BUREAU OF
MINES AND GEOLOGY.

1t is a matter of both surprise an'
disappointment that Governor Moore
has taken a position against an ap
preparation for the support of the
state bureau of mines and geology
and in doing so he is in conflict will
at least the spirit of his message tC
the Legislature. He properly dwell.
with great force upon the necessity
for economy. but at the same time he
recognizes that this great state can
not adopt stand-still policy with
respect to It's natural resources. While
urging a cutting down of appropria-
tions, Governor Moore says efficiency
in handling the business of the state
must not be sacrificed, nor must the
efficiency of our educational and
other state institutions be impaired;
and our natural resources particular
ly our water resources must be am
ply protected against exploitation and
depletion"
Well. what is the bureau of mines
and geology if it is not a state insti-
tuition? 1t can be classed as nothing
else, for it was created by act of the
legislature for the purpose of making
geological and metallurgical investi-
cation and reporting the results to the
public as a'means of attracting capt.
tai for the development of the min
eral resources Of the state: to investi-
gate artesian and other water possi-
bilities for the benefit of the agricul-
tural interests and as an assistance
to cities in obtaining water for dom
este use, and also to investigate and
report upon the oil possibilities Of the
state, Manifestly a bureau that per-
forms this important work is an in
stitution that should not be lightly
cast aside under plea for economy,
for the benefits already derived from
its work represent value many
times greater than the appropriation
asked for the continuation of its ac-
tivities. Important as these benefits
are, the work already accomplished is
only the beginning of greater achieve
ments which will follow if the bureau
is given the small financial support
asked.
Governor Moore is explicit in say
ing that the efficiency of our educa-
tional Institutions must not be i'm
paired. Yet he must know that the |
work of the bureau of mines is close
~ identified with the university, and
that to deny the bureau financial sup
port necessary to carry on its activi-
ties will impair the efficiency of that
great and growing state educational
We have spent millions Of dollars
in the construction of highways for
The purpose of making accessible re-
mote sections of the state and in
bringing the northern and southern
sections into more intimate relation
'hip. Primarily these highways are
or the purpose of developing the re-
ources of the state increasing its
axable wealth and inducing the
building of prosperous homes in the v
asst unsettled areas A little serious [
bought on the subject should con- .
ince any one that the work of the Z
ureau of mines and geology has a +
lost important bearing in bringing a
bout realization of the purposes Of p
hese expensive highway extensions. a
he roads make the resources avail G.
Bile. but how is capital necessary for k
heir development and utilization go p
lg TO be procured unless there is au- ST
ientic information compiled and
lade accessible regarding them? The A
overnor would prevent the "exploita-
on" (using the word in its offensive
'nse) Of these resources. but at the
me time he would deprive the state "a
the very agency that stands be- Sc
Teen the state and the exploiters so
Id protects the investor by giving an
mplete and reliable information re- en-
riding the nature and value of the ST
sources, mineral non-mineral, oil in
Id water. The bureau has already gr