Show I 1 mining Is one of the two basis industries 0 ployd floyd W parsons in the satur day evening post of jan re views the mining situation in the U S and clearly shows that mining Is one of the two base bas industries of man farming being the other civilization has been developed on a metallic basis and the miner has been the real pioneer of and empire just now we are much disturbed by the slump that has taken place in our metal mining industries from a time of tin unusual usual prosperity caused by the war aar the metal min ing industry has settled down to a period of dullness and readjustment ot of the many problems the min ing industry Is now facing none are more important than questions of tax reform blue sky legislation standardization a protective tariff and d operating costs under new nen freight eight rates in the matter of state mine taxation the metal producers are on solid ground in their con that the so called ad valorem valoree basis of taxation tor for in ning pro perty is not economically sound as compared to the same basis of taxa tion for real estate holdings or agricultural lands ft hen the miner produces the ore it becomes of value is sold and therefore can never be of value to that piece of property again A mine mine can only show income by depletion of its fixed value while a farm not only yields an annual crop providing a yearly income b but t ut at the same time is likely to sho show W an increase ln crease in land alue which Is not affected b the return from the annual harvest the plainest lesson of the war was that that the nation which exercises dominion over the minerals of the earth including oil controls the earth every westerner should stand solidly behind the mining industry and favor only constructive policies which encourages its operation and development and particularly in re gard to our foreign trade relations |