The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1889-10-27
Utah Mines win Close.

The blow struck at our lead mining in
dustry by the false secretary of the treasury
takes sudden and severe effect, says the Salt
Lake Tribune. II crusbes immediately the
operations of the two largest distinctiyely
lead companies in Utah, and they will be
Obliged to shut down. The Lead Mining
company, of Bingham, and the Brooklyn
employ directly and indirectly over 300 men.
Their product should yield "A revenue of
some $1,000 monthly. But the immediate
effect of Secretary WINDOWS ruling IL 20
not only destroy that revenue, hut TO make
an actual deficit in the operations
of these companies. Six hundred tons
of ore. produced at cost of
SIG per ton. have 10 he sold for
&lb.75. The company cannot stand that
sort of balance sheet, and on the LIST of
the coming month will be obliged to shut
down and discharge all employees except
three or four watchmen. II is a severe
blow TO the industry of the territory, and
will be especially hard ON Bingham. II
will also have consequences more far
reaching than the mere cessation of In
dustry in two great producers; for the lack
of the ore hitherto put ON the market 10y
these companies will seriously cripple and
reduce the smelling activity of this valley.
But no one can blame the local manager
Of these companies, Mr.. N. Treweek, for
il il perfectly plain proposition that
the stockholders cannot consent 10 sacri-
fee their ore bodies. and go down in
their pockets ~ pay assessments III order to
give their ore AWAY. The blame VIII have
TO rest Just where il belongs. ON a secretary
of the treasury who refuses not only to
carry out the principles on which this ad-
ministratiOn WAS elected. and through
which he holds office, but who violates his
oath of Office by declining 10 enforce plain
provision Of law; departing from the
usages and precedents of his Office i'll order
TO make his despicable conduct the more
pronounced. His action has raised dark
cloud over Utah industry, and Utah men
will not fail to trace their calamities direct
ly TO Secretary Window.
IL is probable that this great and dsas-
trous shutdown will he followed 10y others
that in the aggregate viii stagnate ltah's
mining industry in general, leaving running
only such exceptional concerns as the Onta-
rio, DAILY and others whose lead product il
not their life.
Hitherto the companies now shutting
down hnye sold no ore except on four-cent
basis; the smelters at Denver, Omaha and
Pueblo taking il at TINT rate for its excellent
fiuxing qualities and in the hope that the
treasury department would do our home
lead producers justice: but now that rate is
no longer availnble the highest treasury
official says our miners must compete with
sixty cents day Mexican peon labor, and
the price of lead ores comea down accord
ingly. The result is n compulsory shut
down. as recited above.
In regard to the capital invested, OF which
80 much handle is made, the companies
named have a plant which stands them
about $t00OO0, and this is but the invest
ment Of two allied companies. The nggre-
gate of home capital affected by this ruling
of the secretary is many fold greaier than
that served, counting the border snelters nj
the full value as enhanced 10y this decision.
II is altogether most wanton and indie
fensible outrage upon American lead
miners.
The companies that are now shutting
down have spent large sums in improve
ments and machinery the present season,
expecting the favorable decision they had
right to: hut they are betrayed in the house
of their friends and the expenditures are
found to be a vain outlay. The outlay for
them and for other mnnly lead producers
holds no promise. A &C ssation of work
means practically an abandonment of their
property.