The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1889-05-14
WITHOUT RESULT.
The Way Haggin Looks at the Result
of the Conference on Copper
at Paris.
Col. Livermore Says an Agreement
May Yet be Reached to Keep the
Prices Up.
The French Must Come to Terms the
Americans VIII Dump Their Pro-
duct on the Market

NEW YORK. May, lS.-At the steamship
dock to-day many prominent copper op-
orators from this city and Boston were i'm
patiently awaiting the arrival of the Gu
narder Servia for definite intelligence Of
the result of the European conference be
tween American representatives and the
defunct French syndicate people. Mr..
Haggin, who is the largest owner of the
Anaconda mine and works, looked de-
cidedly strange when questioned about the
result of his journey. He said with EN-
phasis that his trip was productive of no
good. They were unable TO come to any
agreement and had to throw the metal on
the market for what il would bring. He
positively refused TO say anything further.
Col. Livermore, who accompanied
representatives abroad were inclined to
be more communicative. Col. Livermore
said the rumor that the Americans found
the Frenchmen reluctant 10 meet the mine
owners half way in settling the difficulty
was without foundation. The Frenchp el
seemed always ready and willing 10 enter
into any agreement TO prevent a panic
The French banks which held the copper
even now have entire confidence in the
metal as security. Col Livermore gave an
outline of the terms offered by the Ameri-
cans. The proposition was that the banks
should take a certain number OF years
in which to market their copper. The
number of years mentioned OccaSioned
the dispute Our proposition was that the
mines should reduce the production of last
year, which was deemed far in excess of
the worlds wants, q certain per cent un-
til the banks metal could be disposed Of;
that there should be a minimum price,
equivalent to thirteen cents per pound for
lake copper, for the metal to be sold by the
banks and mines. This figure was thought
to be low enough TO meet the consumption
and not so low as to ruin the mines. After
our terms were gone over in general way
and they seemed to meet the favorable
views of the foreign representatives pres
ent they were placed before q lawyer
representing the bank directors and the
foreigners interested. The representative
of the Rio TintO mines was not exactly
satisfied with our proposition. He de-
that American mine owners should |
agree to restrict the export OF copper. OF |
course we refused to entertain such an |
idea. We insisted upon equal terms. Our |
not ask for an immediate reply. We were /
in no hurry, and came away without COM
ing TO definite conclusion.
sit would seem from what Haggin has /
said, this noon,' was suggested, THAT his /
mine at least will begin to throw its product /
on the market for whatever it will bring"
"Well," the colonel replied, I'VE may all
have come home prepared to do IL, but /
don't think we will. l won't deny that
since our return home some modification
has been made IN our original proposition,
and just now a settlement is not hopeless
question"
During the afternoon Col. Livermore's
rooms at the Brunswick were filled with
of the copper dealers, and
/ Ter gthy conference was held. at which
& is said several csblegrams which reached
n 4 ork soon after the ServIA left Liver
pool were carefully considered.