The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-12-04
THE MINES Of MONTANA.
The Anaconda Mines Closed Down on
Account of an Over-Pro-
duction of Copper.
Probability that Other Copr Or
Companies of B1tt9 Will
Curtail Their Output
About the Iron nIountain-The East Hell.
ena Smelter-Copper Market
General Mining News.

ena Smelter-C0pper Market
General Mining News
Whatever of surprise it may have beer
to the majority of the people OF Butte, ane
particularly to the miners. 1T was no sur
prise to few we'll posted mining men II
Butte that the Chambers syndicate group
OF mines. operaued and owned BY the Ana
conda company, were ordered to be closed
down Monday evening and the men dis
charged.
A representative of The INDEPENDENT had
a chat with prominent mining superin-
tendent in Butte few days ago. He il
largely interested in mining and when
asked what effect the agitation for eight.
hour shifts among the miners would have,
he replied:
1.-THE companies cannot afford to grant
the concession. No class of miners in the
world are better paid than thoss of Butte.
think there is too much good Judgment
among the members of the Miners union
to press this matter, and particularly at
this time of year. All can say is that they
will not get eight hours. That would neces-
state the employing of an additional crew
of men for each mine, and understand
that the sole object Of the movement is to
get work for more men,
What Is the situation now2" was asked.
1.-THE agitation has quieted somewhat.
The majority of the miners are satisfied
with the present state of affairs and want
to be let alone. At the first meeting to con-
slider this question about 200 members OF
the union were present. and, as usual. the
men most prominent in the move were
walking delegates and professional disturb
ers. You will always find that class Of
men in every labor organization.
When the action of this meeting be-
came known to the miners at large another
meeting was called. Fully 1900 members
of the union were present and senti-
ment against the movement prevailed"
'.If the miners finally conclude to insist
upon their demands, what will be the re-
sult?'
''Well. from my knowledge of the situa.-
ton Of every condition Of the metal market
aud the attitude of the companies upon
this labor question, can say that it will
prove disastrous to the camp. The slight
est provocation at this time would be oon-
sidered valid excuse for closing down
every copper mine and copper smelter in
prise me in the least to hear of one or
more of the copper companies suspendinG
operations during the coming week.
"Why do you anticipate such a mover"
"For the reason that the copper COM
panies of Butte to-day are carrying sur
ion dollars. That represents good
deal of copper and is the result of a dead
market. The copper transactions of late
have been very small, notwithstanding that
good prices have ruled. There is no mar
ket for copper-no demand for it whatever.
Tn, 10 on RI MOTTO
and if something is not done to check the
increasing surplus the market will be ruin
ed. These are solid facts and it is just the
situation. In view of this you can see that,
to save the market, it will be money in the
pockets of the producers of the red metal
to check the output and not allow the sur
plus to get so large that the price will be
forced down by those who cannot afford to
hold out. really expect that within very
short time the Butte companies, by agree
ment, will either suspend altogether or
greatly curtail their production
While the above is not the most encour-
aging information in the world, it undoubt-
edly presents the true situation, and the
fact that there is and over-production, and
no market for copper, ls to be attributed
alone, the reason for the Anaconda COM
pany closing down the Mountain Consoli-
dated, Green Mountain. Wake Up-Jim and
High Ore mines. They employ, it is esti-
mated, 800 men. No explanation was given
to the men for the suspension of work,
neither we're they.informed when they wonld
be wanted again. Following this order will
undoubtedly come another, suspendinR
supply of ore on hand is treated.
While this idleness will be in force only
few months. it comes at a time of year
when the miners can least afford it. The
closing of the Anaconda is indeed unfortu-
nate, but with the likelihood of the other
IN n n10
or greatly curtailing their production, the
effect may be serious. The action of the
Anaconda company will, at least, put
temporary quietus on the movement to Sc
cure eight hours day or 81 for ten hours.
The Iron Mountain.
Prof. g. G. Swallow. state mining inspec-
tor, is collecting data in Missoula county
for his annual report. He recently visited
the Iron Mountain mine, and speaks of it
as follows: HE found the mine in excel
lent condition, and all the shafts and tun-
nels properly timbered and ventilation
we'll looked to. Superintendent Mcmillan
has taken the safety of the miners we'll in
to consideration, and the magazines for the
storing of powder are we'll secured and the
methods of handling and using the danger
GUS composition are such that il ia only
through carelessness any serious accident
can occur. About six tons of good ore ner
day are now being removed from the mine
end this is being shipped to smelters at
Helena and Omaha. Several hundred tons
OF low grade ore is on the dump. This will
be utilized as soon as the contemplated re-
duction works are built by the COMPANY
the coming summer"
Here in Helena there is considerable nm
easiness as to the future of the Iron Moun-
tam. The property is not assure vein.
but the ore runs in what is termed in min
ing parlance ''pipe stelns'' and the end Of
these pipe stems. which have oenerallv
been termed veins, is said to have heen
70 iched IN the present lowest workinos
The new tunnel to be run is for the nurnose
OF ascertaining ii the 'tpipe stems,, kava
reached their limit. or if thew have or,.
broken of, to be found again AZ lowarr
depth. Should the latter prove tn he +ha
case the property will be all right: Int
should this exploration result in what IS
reluctantly feared, the future Of the
Iron Mountain cannot be very enconraoino
though there is enough ore in sioht to was'
rant continuance of work for some time
to come, particularly the supply Of concar ro
tiating ore on the dump, which has nsvar
been touched.
A prominent official of the eompanv ro-
Gently stated that within the ensnin1 e;v
months five dividends would be paid, In
view OF the expenditure that the new TIM
mel will involve, 1t Ia not tf0uohty hv c,,r,