The Philipsburg mail. [volume] (Philipsburg, Mont.) 1887-current, 1890-12-04
AMONG THE LEDGEA
Our Mining Editor's Weekly
Contribution.
THE COMBINATION CO.'S SHUTDOWN
An Interview With General Mama
ger Akers Regarding the StOppase
Of the Works of the Company at
Black Pine-liope-IiahO Letter
Gem mbinatfon Shutdown.

Combination Shutdown.
Tuesday Of this week all the miners at
the Combination companys works were
given their time, as we'll as the mine
foreman. At least one hundred neA
were thrown out of work, and operations
are now virtually at stand-stiIl. Most
OF the miners and other employees came
to Philpsburg, bringing in with them
their blankets and other belongings and
are now seeking employment in the vi
cinity.
General Manager Wm. A. Akers was
seen by The NAIL representative the
day after the shutdown, and on being
asked his opinion IN regard to the mat
ter, he said: 1.-The president of the corr
pany visited our camp about two weeks
ago and instructed nae to close the mine
on December l, for the reason that they
(the company expected the passage OF
bill for the free coinage of silver
Mr.. Akers also said that The MAIL
was misinformed last week in some
respects. There is no reason to believe
that the work has been discontinued for
want of ore in the old workings. There
is at present over 800 tons of ore in the
ore bins and an unlimited quantity in
sight in the mine to keep the mill in op-
Grafton for an indefinite period. The
mil will be kept running until all the
ore in the bins has been nailled, and it
will then be closed and watchnlan put
in charge of the entire works.
The only work that will continue is
that for which contracts have been let
and cannot be stopped without sacri-
fcing the entire amount which the con-
tracts call for. The sinking of the Har-
rison shaft will therefore be continued
until the expiration of the contract. The
wood contracts will likewise be fulfilled
as we'll as other work contracted for by
Manager Akers
Mr.. Akers informs The NAIL that the
Combination Mining company was never
in a more prosperous condition than at
the present time. They are out OF debt
and have plenty of capital on hand. They
own twenty-five mining claims at Black
Pine, part of which are patented, and ap-
plications have been made to procure
patents for all the others. During the
past year the company has expended not
less than $4,000 in Improvements, and
it might be said that they have just now
got everything in a shape where the
ought to begin paying divi-
dends. Mr.. Akers expressed the condi.
ton of things in the following forcible
language: They either had to shut the
works down, burn them up, Or pay
dividendG
The true reason for this action of Mr.. !
Lewis, the president, is not ut present |
known, but there is one thing quite Ger
tam, and that is that the mine will not |
remain idle very long, as it is too rich |
and productive, and too much money has
already been invested in it's development
to allow it to remain idle where it is, in
such excellent shape to become div1-
lend payer.
The Hope.
The Hope mill was put in operation
again last Monday, and its ten stamps
ire now dropping on ore from the old
ilggings on Hope bill. The usual force
If men is employed at the mill and the
orce OF miners is being steadily increased.
With the present management of the
Hope and the showing Of ore in the old
liggings, together with the fatterlag
in the ground where the new
haft is being sunk.it is generally predic-
ed that the Hope will continue its
operations permanently from now OH.
--->-S->--->-