The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1896-01-09
THE DEPRESSION IN PHOsPHATEs.
A GLOOMY OUTLOOK FOR TME
FUTURE.

A GLOOMY OUTLOOK FOR THE
FUTURE.
Inspector Jones Makes an Interest
ing RepOrt-Competition Has En-
dangorcd this Great Industry.
Ever since the cyclone of 1894, the
phosphate industries in the State have
been comparatively in q crippled con-
dition: Though two years have pass
ed and tho miners have repaired their
plants, tho business has not improved
and Inspector Jones says the dopres-
sion has about reached the climax.
Mining operations have boon carried
on by eight companies during the past
year, tho total amount mined being
TIA, 400.25 tons, from which the State
derived q royalty of SS7, ,657.2O. In his
report Inspector Jones says:
The outlook of the business IS gloomy
figure mover before reached, and tho
greatest encouragement prevails both
in South Carolina and Florida. 1t is
impossible to got in Europe now even
as high rs six pence q unit; the prices
vary from pence to So pence. At
these prices, after paying royalty, and
with the most favorable rates OF
freight the mining companies are un-
able to net moro than So per ton for
to live. The strictest economy Is be-
ing practiced, wages arc being re-
duced, saving devices are being adopt
cd, and the cost Of mining has been
reduced to a minimum. But even
with this, unless there is an improve
mont in the market, tho phosphate
companies must stop.
CAROLINA MINING COMPANY.
I regret to report that this sterling
company, representing large amount
OF English capital, has suspended
have been discharged It's efficient
President, Mr.. Brotherhood, (the
largest individual stockhoder in tho
company, has resigned, and his re-
signation has been accepted. The
plant Is laid up permanently, and no
one t q care-takcr is at the exten-
sive ', orks hitherto SO busily employ
cd. There is no prospect Of an carly
resumption Of work by this company.
In fact, whether it shall resume or not
Is absolutely indefinite and undeter-
mined. The reason for this stoppago
Is, because the company, although eX-
ercising every possible economy, could
not get for its rock what it cost to
mine and put it on the market at the
present prices. This means to the
State the loss of tho entire royalty
tive company. 1t is an object lesson
showing more pertinently than any
words can express tho terrible de-
pressed condition Of the phosphate in
dustry
The other companies are mining,
but with reduced force. The Coosaw
Company, the largest Of them all,
have laid up two or three drcdges,
three tug boats, and suspended their
manipulating department. Tho other
companies have reduced their work
Ing force to q minimum.
AS to the reasons for the depressed
condition OF trade, the Inspector says
These arc not hard to find. In the
first place, the depressed condition OF
agriculture both in this country and
In Europe has limited to very great
extent the demand for crude phos-
phate rock as a basis for the manu-
facture of fertilizers. But q more
potent cause, perhaps, is to be found
have come into fierce competition with
Carolina phosphate SSk.
After speaking Of tine competition Of
Algerian phosphates the report con.
tinues:
These deposits continue to be &C
lively worked, ana tho production is
steadily increasing The rock needs
no washing or drying, as is the case
with Carolina rock. Its analysis is
largely by the interior points, com
panies situated in upper Georgia, Ton
nessee and other points, who obtain
from it thoroughly Satisfactory results.
1t fills the place Of the South Carolina
rock perfectly, and is very formid-
able competitor.
The total shipments Of phosphate
from Florida for the year 1895 aggre-
grated 5l5,S7S tons. Florida con
tinues to increase her production.
Whilst q great many of the companies
there have ceased operations, still
enough have been left to keep up y
very large production. As is well
known there are three kinds Of rock
mined in Florida.
First, the river rock, which comes
largely from Peace River and which
resembles in analysis and general
character, very largely, the Carolina
rock.
Second, the land pobblo rock, which
Is mined from the land, consisting Of
9 small phosphate pebble, and which
is also similar to the land rock in
South Carolina.
Third, the high grade rock, which
runs up to 70 or so per cent. OF pht, {.
phate of lime. This lies in pockets
hna ID quarfled out ana shipped with
hardly any other preparatiot ,pt
that OF being roasted or burncu. lc
shipments from Florida aro lap w
on the increase. Many OF tho 3 i
panies there are, like tho companies
In Caroline, with ~ large plant invost-
ed which they have to utilize in some
way, and they arc satisfied IL they can
got In q dol lar for every dollar thoy
put out. and SO work on, hoping for
better times.
Within tho last few weeks a now
discovery OF phosphate beds in tho
Somme district Of France has beou
made. The locality where this rock
has been discovered has been bought
by q strong French firm for the amount
stated to be one million frances. The
quality of this phosphate is reported
to bo from so to 70 pc, cont. phosphate
lime, otherwise similar to the we'll
known SOmme phOsphate It ia in q