COAL. - Clpdigital.org

THE COAL TRADE BULLETIN. 47
ADDRESS OF MR. S. A. TAYLOR, PRESIDENT OF THE AMERICAN MINING
CONGRESS, SPOKANE, WASHINGTON, NOVEMBER 25-29, 1912
The main purpose of my address shall be the
placing before the Mining Congress some of the
problems and conditions which exist in the mining
industry to-day, to find if possible a solution for
some of them.
In the consideration of these things we will endeavor
to ascertain what bearing the American
Mining Congress has upon them. It is stated
and generally taught by scientific men that the
human body changes all of its paits every seven
years. If this be true, the Mining Congress as
an organization has during the period of its past
existence passsd through two such periods, and
is now starting upon a, new cycle of existence.
The question which naturally arises at this juncture
is whether the work of the congress has been
completed, or it there is still a work for it to
perform, how if can best be accomplished.
It seems peitir.ent at this point to stop long
enough to review somewhat the incidents leading
up to tne organization of the American Mining
Congress, and to ascertain whether or not there
are still existing any such conditions or problems
that can best be dealt with through such a national
organization as this body. If it is shown that
the congress has completed its work, then it should
cease to exist. If, on the other hand, it be shown
that there is still a demand for such an organization
as the American Mining Congress, the next
question, of course, will be as to whether as it is
now organized,
IT IS PROPERLY' EQUIPPED
for doing the work and solving the problems presented
to it in the most effective way.
The statement has been made in the call for
this meeting that (The American Mining Congress
as it now exists is a practical organization, devoting
itself lo the economic, administrative and
commercial, of what might be termed Mining
Politics, rather than to the technical phases of
mining.
Its annua! conventions are held for the purpose
of keeping in closer touch with the needs of the
mining industry. They provide an open forum for
full discussion of the more important subjects
through which all persons who have plans for the
betterment of mining conditions can be heard, and
through which the organization can be directed in
the channels of most effective effort.)
With this statement as a basis let us consider
the conditions more in detail, I am not familiar
wdth the early history of the congress except as
to this feature, that there were so many problems
especially connected wdth the precious metal
mining of the western section of the United State?
that called for solution, or at least needed to be
brought to the attention ot the public, in such a
way that they might help remedy the difficulties,
that it was deemed wise by those who were in
touch wdth the situation to call a national conference
of mining men. This it seems by the records
was done in a temporary meeting held July 1, 1S9S,
in Denver, Colorado. At this meeting a permanent
organization was formed. The second meeting
was held in Salt Lake City, Utah, in July, 1898.
The third
SESSIOX WAS CONVENED
at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in July, 1S99, but adjourned
to meet in June, 1900. at tbe same place.
The fourth session was convened in July, 1901, in
Boise, Idaho, and the fifth session convened in
September, 1902, in Btrtte, Montana. The sixth
session was held in September, 1903, at Deadwood
ancl Lead, South Dakota.
Up to this time a great many mining problems
came before the convention for consideration, but
as before stated they had all practically to do with
matters pertaining to precious metal mining alone,
and at this stage in the history of the organization
so diversified were the interests that it seemed
almost impossible to coalesce or bring them together,
on any common ground. The Mining
Congress was at this point threatened wdth disruption,
ancl only by the superb executive ability
of Judge J. H. Richards, who was then elected
president, was it brought through this crisis, and
made the effective agency which it has become fcr
carrying on the work connected with mining.
Judge Richards served as the president for seven
consecutive years from 1903 tc 1909, during which
time the congress met at Portland, Oregon, El
Paso, Texas Denver, Colorado, Joplin, Missouri,
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Goldfield, Nevada.
At the eighth session at El Paso in 1905 another
great event in the history of the organization took
place, James F. Callbreath. Jr., of Denver, Colorado,
was elected secretary, and wdthout criticism,
or any reflection on any of the former officers of
the association, the American Mining Congress
seemed from this time forth to take on
A NEW LEASE OF LIFE,
until now it is sn active power in the mining
affairs of the United States. There were so many
questions calling for attention such ss the Smelter
Rates, the Revision of the Mining Laws, the
Land and Claim Laws nertaining to mining, and
many others which in their consideration called
for such master minds as Judge Richard's and