AMERICAN FOREST CONGRESS 317 



a far more serious danger, subject to the blackmailing 

 schemes of the mine adventurer who, by obtaining a 

 patent for one mining claim across which the ditch is 

 constructed, has the absolute power of obstructing the 

 operation of the ditch and thus of the mine. 



Certainly, such results could not have been foreseen 

 by our law-makers. But they are not only probable; 

 they are inevitable. There is a remedy simple, 

 speedy, just and that is a law promptly giving to the 

 miner the same rights given to railroad corporations 

 and irrigating ditches ; at least, a law by which the 

 miner in a reserve is protected to the same extent that 

 he is protected upon public lands not within a reserve. 

 The law, as it stands, puts a premium upon the dis- 

 honesty of the nomadic mining adventurer. It offers 

 no protection whatever to the bona fide miner. It 

 should be promptly amended. 



For the respectful attention given to a few thoughts 

 of a brand-new member of your Association, hurriedly 

 incorporated into a so-called paper, I thank you, 

 gentlemen, most heartily. 



