, 1889-01-03
sroxANs AND raE MINES.

and will ever continue 10 derive great
profit from the vast mining regions by
which our city is encircled. A ma
iority OF the beet mining interests in
the several districts are owned either
by citizens OF this city or by pers'ns
who frequent this place for the pur-
chase Of supplies, or for conference
with other mining men, or for other
business connected with their proper
ties. In this way we profit largely.
The adva ntages Of our position rs a
great mining center are far too great,
however, for us to be satisfied with a
profit so small in comparison with
that which 10 within our reach.
The ultimate aim OF our citizens
should be 10 handle the ores produced
from all the mines within radius Of
$50 miles Of this place. This is An un''
dertsking which cannot, Of course, be
consummate within q day or ayear,
or perhaps not within less than four
or Eve years. The beginning OF this
new year, however, is g' cd time TO
make an earnest start in that direc-
tion; and, to use q homely phrase, we
must crawl before we walk. While we
should desire, as soon as practicable,
to see our city become the site Of frst.
class smeltiug and reduction works. IL
might be even DISASTROUS to the ulti-
mate success Of such extensive works
10 have them started in advance OF
thorough preparation. There must
first be succession Of Steps leading
in that direction IL We would build
broad the foundation OF these desired
industries. In the history Of city's
growth Wholesale houses are not es-
tablished in advance OF the retail.
Neither do we find that the most sue
cessful business establishments we're
full size at their origin.
Having the desired mineral ores
near us in inexhaustible quantity, we
should consider wisely and well what
other essenti, ,ls we must secure to en-
able u. to handle these ores success
fully and upon the largest scale. This
we should 60 about systematically
thoroughly and at once. Let our ex-
ceIlent board Of trade, for instance,
arrange for meeting OF practical and
well.informed men TO consider this
question in detail. with view to Or
pauized and well-directed action.
We need. for instance, in the outset,
the establishment here OF reliable and
well-conducted sampling works. This
is an enterprise within our immediate
reach. These works, consisting OF
crusher. rolls. pulverizer, and an as
saying outfit, could be secured at
cost not exceeding $4,000 Or $4,000.
This would enable miners who are
nov developing their properties to
ship ores to this point in email guam
titles for the purpose of determin-
ing their exact values as the basis for
selling. Mining men of limited means
would thus be able 10 make imme-
diate sales OF ores and thereby procure
the means for making further develop
msnts. 1t would doubtless result also
in bringing to this point representa-
tive purchasers of ores from all the
leading reduction and smelling works
and thus form the necleus OF great
market at this point. The people OF
Spokane Falls could afford to contrib.
ute all the necessary funds for such
sam pling works and turn them over
to competent assayer and metallur-
gist for management and operation.
Miners selling their ores at this point
would in turn invest their money here
for supplies and merchants would
find an increased demand for tools,
oresacks. provisions and other neces-
stiles. And these necessities mining
mon should always be able 70 procure
here, ut reasonable prices.
The establishment Of sampling
works having been provided for, the
next step should be to bring within
our reach the various factors needful
70 enable US to handle ores upon a
large scale. In the treatment OF ores
we shall need at our command a sup
ply of coke, salt, lime, soda, iron ore
OF scrap iron, and cheap transporta-
ton facilities. For supplying the nec-
essary coke, within easy reach, it is be-
that an abundant quantity Of |