Show mining oil and water power three great industries of the west are closely allied so far as matters pertaining to their general develop ment are concerned mining and smelting oil prodoc ing and power development are all largely dependent for their prosper ity on the passage of measures pro posed or now pending before con gress these industries today are not only furnishing the government with the vera ver sinews of war in materials hut but they are paying a great portion of the cost from their earnings fed eral taxes on which run to 60 per cent of their profits they are not complaining and are only too glad to do their share these industries are hampered however by lack of legislation or ill III advised legislation which ages or actually prohibits develop ment in many instances in the case of mine equitable tax laws and good prices tor for metals are the greatest incentive tor for production in regard to 0 oils ila the same applies but in addition legislation now pending in congress permitting de of withdrawn lands aw and assuring protection in their title to bona fide claimants on withdrawn areas must be passed to secure the needed increased production at this time wat water er power development Is tied hand and foot through lack of legis lation permitting development on government reserves bills have been pending before congress tor for the last ten or teelie years which would op en the way tor for this ceded develop ment but their passage has been blocked as has passage of remedial oil measures public affairs should drop the spir it of antagonism which they have held tor for years and adopt a spirit of helpful co operation which would as sure the private investors as well as the public a square deal |