The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-06-09

or about per cent, while that of an
thracite coal actually increased 400, 900
tons, or nearly 10 per cent; so that the
decrease in the total output of fuel
was less than 6,221 900 tons, or 3h per
cent, while the decline in value was
per cent. In pig iron the decrease was
comparatively small. only about 400,-
600 tons, and we find that all this loss
was in the earlier part of the year,
while at the close of 1894 the furnaces
were running at a rate which promises
to make the production of 1895 exceed
9.000,000 tons, which has thus far been
the highest mark I'm our production.
In some other important metals again
there was an actual increase, amount
ing in the case of copper TO 26,25O, 900
pounds. In this metal the decline in
home consumption was offset by
large increase in the exports.
The silver production of the United
States was maintained at a much high
er level than had generally been ex-
pected, or than had been predicted by
many persons who should be well ac-
quainted with the industry. In 1893 the
production was so, 500 600 ounces, de-
crease of 100000 ounces from 1892,
when it reached its highest level. The
low price with which 1894 opened and
the withdrawal of the artificial demand
created by the Sherman law led many
persons to believe that the reduction
would approximate the amount OF the
government purchases under that law,
or $4,000, 600 ounces. which would have
been equivalent to practically wiping
out the industry. The actual decrease
in 1894 was only 10.654,000 ounces, or
about Is per cent. The reduction still
leaves the United States the greatest
silver producer in the world. and the
industry is, and doubtless will continue
to be. a most important one.
Perhaps the most notable feature OF
the year is the increase in the output
of gold. From time TO time throughout
1894 the diversion of capital and labor
from silver to gold has been noted.
Not only have many new gold dis
CoVeries been recorded. but in many
cases also old mines which had been
abandoned because they would not pay
with the wasteful and effective methods
OF early days, have been reopened with
prospects of success under better and
| more careful methods. The full effect
| of this revival, however, will not be
| felt until 1895 and the increase in the
| gold output has somewhat disappoint-
| ed the general expectancy, although
| hardly that of careful observers. The
total output of gold in the United
/ States last year was $39, 761, 900, an in
crease of $3,SO6,000 over 1898 and OF
! Sc, 764 900 over 1892. In gold output Aus
| tralia has also shown a considerable
| gain. and runs the United States quite
! closely this year. while the phenomenal
| increase from the Transvaal mines has
| also made South Africa a close COM
| petitor for the first rank as producer
| of the yellow metal
! To illustrate what we have said with
| gard to the comparison of values, 1t
| will perhaps be well to take d few in
stances from the table Thus, while
| our total production Oh copper showed
| an increase of 20. 10000 pounds the esti-
mated value at the price of produc-
| ticn was lower by $1,640,000 in 1894
! thar AZ 1898. Again. the production OF
! zinc decreased only $3.50 tons, or about
! . per cent, while the value reported
was less by about S1,00O.000, or 1876 per
| cent. The decrease in the production
| of pig iron was 3S6,000 tons, or 5.5 per
| cent, while the decrease in value was
| S21 800 900, or nearly "a per cent; many
similar instances might be taken from
| the table to show that the total reduc-
! ton in value of the mineral produc-
| ticn Of $62, 534, 112, or 10 per cent repre-
scented very much less than that pro-
| pcrtion-probably not over or per
! cent-in actual quantities produced.
The following table shows the produc-
\ ton of metals in the United states for
! the years 1898 and 1894: