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Show uu AMENDMENTS TO MINERAL LAWS In an address at the twenty-first anniversary an-niversary of the Michigan School of Minos at Houghton, Mich., August 9.. 1911, Director Smith of the United States geological survey said that tho objeots to be sought by amendment of the public land laws are, first, purposeful pur-poseful and economical development of resources for which there Is present pres-ent demand, with retention of such control as may prevent unnecessary waste or excessive charges to the consumer, con-sumer, and second, tho reservation to the peoole of the title to all resources the utilization of which Is conjectured or at least the need of which is not immediate The means that aro essential es-sential to the attainment of these objects ob-jects are, first, the classification of the public lands; second, the separation separa-tion of surface and mineral rights, and, third, the disposition of the lands on terms that will Insure the highest use, enforce development and protect thn public interest i. The classification of the publje land Is essential to tho administration not only of such laws as express the principle prin-ciple of separation, but also of those whose purpose is to promote tho highest uso of the land Under the withdrawal act of Juno 25. 1910, classification clas-sification Is made possible in advance of disposition, and disposition can be postpone 1 to await needed legislation. Geological Sunev Press Bulletin. Apex Law Inadequate. The "law of tho apex" has been more productive of oxnenslvo litigation litiga-tion than of economical mining. In UlUll Ul lilt; IUU1C l-W"IJ .o.fcw.u"-. and more progressive mining districts this statute has been made Inoperative Inopera-tive either by common agreement or hy compromise between owners of adjoining ad-joining claims. Its repeal could not affect established equities, but would make property rights more certain In large mining districts not yet 'discovered, 'discov-ered, where now and valuable claims will be located 100 yoira hence. Tao same knovledge of natural conditions con-ditions that leads to the suggestion of a repeal of the law of the apex justifies justi-fies tho further suggestion that the discovery of ore In place can not be made a universal prerequisite to the location of a mining claim. Geologlo stulv In a number of regions has revealed re-vealed many underground ore deposits depos-its to which the present law can not be applied, although the deposits are rich and their extent can be surmised more definitely than that of some ore deposits which outcrop at the surface sur-face To meet such actual conditions the law should provide for the acquisition ac-quisition of metalliferous mineral land that can be classified as such by means of adequate geologic evidence, whether outcrops aro present or not. A most Important provision in any amended mining law would enforce development a provision embodied, It Is true, in the present law, but not made effective In Its enforcement. This requirement of actual use as a condition of occupany of mineral iRnd can not bo regarded as either novel or radical. Geological Survey Press Bulletin. |