Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-04-30

by Richard =. Rothwell. editor of the
Engineering and Mining Journal. Ac-
cording u Mr.. Rothwelfs estimates.
the total value of the mineral and
metal production Of this country in 1895
amounted to s6773, ss1 sos. which, in COM
parison with the figures for 1894. s57S.-
410.05s shows the notable increase Of
So. 4il.4 OF 1855 production. $40
6l5. 120 represents the value OF the met
ais. Sab 266 3s5 that of the non metallic
products, including $1,000. 900 for I'M
specified products. As some duplica-
TONS have necessarily been made. the
iron ore used in the making of pig iron,
for example. a careful estimate has
been made OF the necessary deductions.
which are placed at $s5. 600, 900 for 1895.
against S3i 600 900 in 1894. so that the
total net value for 1895 is recorded as
$62S. Ss1, sos. as compared with $544.410,
05S for 1894. the increase amounting to
SSi ,226 sos, or 15.5 per cent.
Prices ruled extremely low in 1924.
and 1895 shows considerable improve
ment iron and copper exhibiting par
ticular advance for Il considerable por-
ton OF the year Gold showed a large
increase. and the decrease in silver was
smaller than had been anticipated,
Coal showed great increase. amount
ing tn Il per cent. and the materials Of
construction gained largely in amount
According to Mr. Rothwell the figures
given show that the United States last
year took the first rank as a producer.
not only of the precious metals but al
so of the most important of the useful
metals, iron and copper, while in coal it
is still second only to Great Britain
with the certainty that in a few years
it will take the first place. While the
past three years mark a period of de
preston, as is usual under such cir
cumstanceS substantial advances We're
made in the direction of practical econ
| omies. improy ements in systems and
the corresponding stimulus to inven-
ton is likely to bear valuable fruits.
The metallurgical production. repre-
senting the results of the mineral in
dustres i'm finished form. naturally at
tracts the most general attention. The
output of aluminium Increased about 10
per cent. Through its use in the arts
is growing, its comparatively high price
limits the employment of this metal.
There was an increase in antimony.
rapid production tending to lower prices.
The yield of copper was 1925 metric
tons. and prices showed a substantial
Improvement. There was a decrease OF
II per cent. in exports and the increase
| in prices was due largely to the heavy
domestic demand. Montana furnished
SS.346 tons, or 80 per cent. of the pro-
duction. Michigan. with $3.50 tons.
and Arizona. with al,954 tons followed
at a distance.
ounces fine metal valued at SAG. $50, 200
showing gain over 1894 of 246. 1881
| ounces.
This result shows that the impetus
given to gold mining all over the world
by the events of the past two years has
not reached it's maximum. Since there
has been no general resumption of hy-
draulic mining in California the in
creased production of gold has been
due to an extension of the working of
old mines; to the opening of new mines
and to continued Improvement in
| methods of working and reduction OF
| ore which now permits the profitable
exploitation of mineral properties too
| low in grade of their ores to pay under
| former wasteful or imperfect systems
While the increase in the production
of the yellow metal has been very gen.
orally distributed. the most notable
gain has been made in Colorado, where
it was due not only to the active work
ing of the Cripple Creek mines. but to
the steady gain reported from the Older
gold districts of the State. The othe,
Western States have also shown con-
siderable gains, Montana and Idaho
both recording large advances. while
California also showed a large increase
and the development of the gold fields
of Utah preceded quietly but on an
important scale. In Arizona, owing tc
local circumstances. there was de-
crease in the local output In the
Southern States there has been little
change,
i The production of pig iron was 9446,-
3oS long tons, an increase of AZ per cent
over 1894. This is declared to be the
highest level ever reached in this coun.
| try. and also once more puts the
United States in the position of the