Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1892-04-01
AND SMELLING CHARGES.

They arr Fixed 80 rs to Compel Idaho
Ores 10 Pay Freight on Colorado
Bullion.
Boise Statesman
For long time it has been gem
orally understood that there was some
sort OF an agreement between the
Union Pacific Railway company and
certain Denver smeiters, under which
the latter we're enabled to rule the ore
market and that permitted the road
to enjoy the lions share o! the bust
ness of transporting ores and bullion.
The matter has been ventilated in
an investigation before the Western
Traffic Commissioners in the prosecu-
ton of complaint brought by other
Denver roads against the Union Pa
oi6c. This complaint alleged that
the Union Pacific cut the rate on
bullion from Denver to the Missouri
river by means of it's practise OF per-
hitting ore to be smelted in transit
and making up for the loss by loading
in Colorado bullion. The straight
rats from the mines OF Idaho to the
Missouri river is SIS per ton. and that
from the mines to Denver is SIG per
ton. Ore running over 40 per cent.
lead is stopped in transit for smelling;
the loss of weight is made up from
Colorado bullion and the whole goes
to the river under the throug h tariff
rate. the Colorado bullion thus being
carried at rate of only 81, while the
local tariff is IS.
The extent of this traffic can be
gathered from the following taken
from the report of the commissioners:
"The entire bullion shipments from
Denver during the last two years were
made over the Union Pacific, with the
exception of one shipment via the
Missouri Pacific in July, 1890. From
the best information obtainable, it APP
pears that there was smelted in transit
from Idaho, at two Of the smelters at
Denver, during the year 1890 and
1891, S9,32O,260 pounds of ore con.
centrates, producing 55,946,366
pounds OF bullion, showing deficit OF
1888, 1914 pounds or 1864 per cent
free transportation of bullion, the pro
: duct of other than Idaho ores. Dur
ing the same period there was shipped
east by the above smelsers l32, $780,
S7l pounds Of bullion, showing AT
: excess of 16,603,5O5 pounds over ane
t. above the weigh OF bullion produced
from Idaho ores, and which excess i
t. is claimed should be free to competi
a ton and subject to the regular TART
s rates, Denver to the Missouri river
r but that because of the transit arrange
= ment the entire output OF the Denve
smel,ers is secured to one line.
1t vii! be seen that Idaho paid tn
u freight On some 1900 tons OF Col
t ora1o bullion from Denver to tn
e Missouri river. To be sure, a cheape
rate was secured on the other $500
= tons than if the Denver rate on or
had been paid and the local rate o
the bullion; but if rates were equ.
II ably adjusted this difference woul
4 not exist.
: It must be borne in mind that tn
a arrangement gives the favore
smelters control of the ore marke
There can be no competition fro
lg that source when such combinatic
N exists; and, as a result, the miner
e. paying much larger prices for trea
rs ment than would otherwise preva
ne The lead concentrates Of the C9
d. d'Alenes would sell in the open ma
ket in Colorado without any trea
ment charge, if. indeed, they shon
- not command a premium.