The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1889-08-08
The sIlrer.Lead Ore Question.

At recent meeting of the ore producers
in Denver it was stated that "the importa-
ton of lead ore from Mexico without the
payment of the import duty levied by law
upon such ore has increased the supply OF
lead in the market to such an extent that
prices for the metal have declined, result
ing in direct loss to the ore-producers of
over 81, 500, 600. Such a large reduction in
price has curtailed production, and will
continue still further to reduce it. as well
as to lessen the demand for mining machin-
cry, supplies and the labor required in min
ing and transportation of ore. For such
reduction in price and direct loss to the
mining industry of the United States and
those industries dependent upon or con-
nected with It, the general public derives
little or no benefit. The lead manufacture
is controlled by trusts and syndicates,
which obtain the benefits that should ac-
crue to the consuming public by lower
rates.
The Classification of the imported ore as
LEAD or silver ore, in accordance with the
rules adopted by the United States treas
ury department, is not warranted by any
scientific authority or by commercial usage
and is contrary to law, as it results in dis
elimination against home Industries, which
is not in accordance with the policy of the
government, in favor of protection to the
interest of its own citizens"
Hon. Dennis Sheedy spoke in support of
the above, which was in the shape of reso-
lutions, reading letter from N. F. James
of the Utah association. He said: The
Utah people are well organized under the
name of the Utah Ore Producers associa-
ton. The question of the ruling on lead
ore was argued in Washington, May -.
\ tacit promise was given that
THE RULING WOULD BE REVERSED
in sixty days. Up to this date nothing has
been done. My object in presenting Mr..
James letter was that union might be
formed between the Utah association and
the Colorado Mining exchange and the
chamber of commerce. Large quantities
of lead ore are coming in from Honduras.
The Grant Smelling company at Omaha is
shipping from Port Arthur. The shelters
at Kansas City and FL Paso are receiving
large quantities from Mexico This ore Is
produced with labor that costs from thirty
10 forty cents per day, whereas we pay from
81 to So The freights are no greater from
Mexico to Kansas City or st. Louis than
thar hey are from Utah or Colorado to
Missouri river points, consequently 1t is
not possible for the American people to
compete with this kind of competition.
Many of our mines have closed down,
while others are not producing anywhere
near their full capacity, as the low price of
lead will not Justify them in working tho
low grade mines. This question was thor
oughly argued by the Representatives of
the western states and territories before
Secretary Tichenor.
The Kansas City, St Louis and New
York smelling men made a very weak
reply to some of the arguments. They
have since filed supplementary arguments
which are no better than the first. Their
intention seemed to be to mislead the de-
partment in trying TO show that there was
No lnod ir0nOrtn1 from kaVipO JTthilQ
the analysis of said ore showed that it con-
tanned from 30 to 10 per cent. lead. They
held that because the value in silver was
greater than the value in lead it would
enter American ports free of duty. That
THIS RULING IS ERRONEOUS
must be clear to any thinking person. AS
when any 1000 pounds of ore will produce
from six hundred to nine hundred pounds
of metallic lead, it would seem that the de-
partment must recognize this fact and not
hesitate to levy the duty recognized by the
federal law. There has been preponder-
ance of evidence presented to the depart
ment 10 show that the true character of
Mexican and other foreign ores, and why
the ruling is not reversed cannot be under
stood by western people
1t may be that the refners and smelters
Of the eastern and middle states have had
such powerful political influence with the
department that they have decided to let
Congress make some new legislation on the
matter. The miners and smelters of the
western states and territories are suffering
from this cause and in justice and fair play
towards the western country it would seem
that the department should grapple with
this question and reverse this false ruling,
giving the law its true Interpretation. We
are in hopes that by uniting the different
interests in the western states and terri
tories we will be able to meet the opposi-
tinn of the eastnI.n nnnnnnlists y