The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1893-09-20
the Phosphate situation.

CHARnEsfoN, Sept. l5;-rhe Ne,c$ und
Couyter's special correspondent at Beau
fort sends to-day the following interest
ing details in regard to the losses OF the
phosphate rock mining companies in the
late storm:
One of the State phosphate commission
ers made toar of the wrecked phosphate
mines to-day in the steamer Catherine.
The Catherine first went to Williams
Island, where. the Pacific Company had
been carrying on operations. Thon she
steamed across to BuZzard's Island,
where what is left Of the quarantine
station is to be seen. Just imagine! Out
of nine buildings, only one is left. Thus
YOU have some idea of the destruction
wrought.
From Buzzard's Island the commits
sioners went around to the works of the
Farmers Mining Company. Besides
having lost considerable in its llOatiDg
stock. the Farmers met with much dam
age at the works. The expensive loading
and unloading apparatus has been COIN
pletely destroyed, and there was other
more or less serious loss.
The next objective point was Cmsaw.
Along the line wrecked vessels and
others high and dry were seen. \, the
Coosaw works the commissioners had Il
convincing spectacle. At present Mr..
Lopez is having the place made habitab;e
and clearing up the debris. After steam
ing around Coosaw river, the Sea Island
Chemical Works were inspected, but
were found to have come off lightly.
What effect the trip will have upon the
votes of the two commissioners Is not
known. It was kind of school in phos-
phateology, which was very interesting.
There is strong probability that,
several of the larger, if not all, Of the
miners will quit the business. That is
the way they talked to-day, and they are
emphatic, and, believe, sincere when
they say that they are not bluffing, as
many suppose.
Col. Fielder, president of the Farmers
Mining Company, had just received re-
turn from his last shipment of rock.
Others have recently had the same ex-
perience. A cargo was scld by D. e.
Boyd, Glasgow, Scotland. Rock at 6id.
(I2t cents) per unit; rock analysis 81,
freight 15s. 6d.-S3.s7A per ton cost OF
mining S2.15 per ton; royalty S1-which
makes loss of 13 cents per ton, or
1928. So on cargo Of 2,492 tons. There is
no fiction about this.
The companies estimate their losses as
follows: Coosaw Mining Company, $3.50,
600; Carolina Mining Company, $l50, 900 ;
Farmers Mining Company, $4,000
Beaufort Mining Company, 900, total
$500, 900.
Now what can the board do? 1t knows
that $4,000 is pledged to the sinking
fund Of the new issue of bonds. Can the
royalty be reduced to so cents and net
SIS, 600?
During the present year $4,000 has
been collected in royalties. VIII the
companies be in condition to mine as
much rock next year, and Will all OF the
present companies continue business?
Then there is the uncertainty of Office.
The present commission cannot take
final action. The miners say that they
are in better shape than ever to get out OF
the business, and that they will not 90
down into their pockets for money unless
there Is some certainty about matters and
they have some guarantee. They are not
disposed to spend money repairing, and
when it is done have legislature say
"Well, you've spent your money; we've
got you," and royalty is raised at its
pleasure.
One pin of relief proposed is to allow
the companies from now until January
to repair them, aud then give the com
panies year in which to mine, and let
the S75, 900 be raised, the companies being
allowed free of royalty all after the
$4,000. This will, if tits held, reimburse
the companies for their storm loss: The
rock on hand is'to he included in that to
be paid for next year.
The miners do not seem to like this
project. In the first place, they say that
they cannot be ready for, work by that
time; that it will cause a glut in the mar
ket; and, chiefly, that it affords no per-
manent reliof.
CHARLESTON, Sept. 15.-Governor Till
man, Senator Butler, Miss Clara Barton
and her two aids arrived here tonight.
At meeting of the phosphate commits
sion, held after the Governors arrival, it
was decided that no arrangement would
be made with the phosphate companies
which would not guarantee an aggregate
royalty for the year of at least $4,000.