Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1892-07-23
That Open Letter.

~NSNSSsf
A short time since there was circu-
lated on the streets of Custer an open
letter directed ITO the officers and
stockholders Of the Harvey Peak Tin
Co. (limited) and all other concerned"
In very brief space of time it was
eagerly signed by about sixty persons,
representing all classes, among the num-
Der being many Of our most respected
citizens.
The letter purported to set forth the
actions Of some of the local managers of
the Harvey Peak Company, regarding
the method of purchase Of some Of the
tin properties now belonging to that
company, which. if true, show these
gentlemen up In no enviable light. We
presume that some mention Of this let
ter in our columns has been expected
previous TO this issue, and it Is but fair
that we should now give 2 reason for
our silence. which by few may have
been considered unexcusable negligence.
To us, as to many others, the appear
ance of the letter was very Dsuch Of a
surprise, and we deemed a certain
amount of personal investigation ad-
visable, before making any extended
comment on matter SO serious III Its
import, and possibly SO far reaching in
its results. Another reason we have,
which we frankly declare ut the risk Of
receiving the censure of many of our
respected friends and citizens. 1t is
this: While not questioning the equal
or superior judgment Of the minds that
dictated this letter, and the honesty and
sincerity of those who signed it, we do
question the expediency Of such step,
the wisdom of sending broadcast letter
like the one under consideration
Granting that the charges made are
true, il there not reason to believe that
in giving them such wide publicity at
this time, we have worked an injury to
ourselves and the great industry OF tin
production2 AS community We have
every reason to regard the Harvey Peak
Company as friendly to us, and to this
section. The corporation has expended
an immense sum of money in the pur-
chase and development of the tin mines
Of Custer and Pennington counties, and
1t recognizes the necessity of investing
kn -. N
condition TO supply the tin market OF
the United States. God knows that
every infant industry Of the Southern
Hills has in past years been blackmail-
ed and misrepresented until existence
was almost an ilnposibility, and its
progress Indifferent. Tin has been no
exception to the rule, and the Harney
Peak Company has had its share OF
difficulties to overcome. Have we not
embarrassed the company still further,
by proclaiming to the world that large
portion Of the ground it owns, is worth.
less, and in that way indirectly injured
ourselvesP We fear have.
Again the English stock holders of the
company have at all times their repre-
scntatives on the ground. They are in
a position to know all that has transpir-
ed, and faithful and satisfactory reports
have been made from time to time.
Strange as some transactions may ap
pear, is it probable that the company
has not known Of and sanctioned them?
Can we presume that at this late date,
we could communicate to them any
thing regarding their own business
methods, of which they are not already
aware? 1t is our opinion that we could
not.
Supposing that we could, we believe
that personal interview, or a single
copy Of the statements contained in the
letter, presented to an influential mem
Der Of the company, would have had a
more desirable effect. Charges made in
that manner would have received due
attention, and if the local management
had been guilty of wrongs, the company
in its efforts to rectify them would not
have been handicapped by the publicity
which is one Of the conditions of the
case at hand.
For these reasons, and because, al
previously stated, we did not believe in
giving the matter unnecessary publicity
we have refrained from referring to the
"open letter" until this time. While
differing from many in our views as Il
the expediency of this step, we car
heartily endorse as pure and honorable
the convictions and motives that let
our fellow citizens to take IL. That it i
popular movement can not be denied
and the aspersions cast upon the signer
OF it by the Hill City Tin Miner AM
other papers, In their comments, ar
uncalled for, unjust, and hardly worth
Of denial. The matter is serious on
any way that ii may be taken. and ther
is no occasion for abuse or mud-throw
ing. What the outcome will be we
not presume to predict. The gentleme
against whom 1t is understood tn
charges are directed, of course pr
nounce them false and unfounde,
while those who have made them nj
confident Of their ability 70 substantial
them.