The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-06-21

The interest of Seattle in mining is a
matter OF such comparatively recent
growth that the peoples ideas of the
eity's advantages as smelling center
had not assumed definite form when the
proposition was made TO them by w. II.
bennington To erect a plant. Every man
was alive TO the city's advantages as a
railroad, shipping. lumber, fishing and
mining center. but Mr. Reminstons
proposition led every man to think of its
possibilities as a smelling center. What
its advantages in that direction are was
brought out last night in an interview
with Mr.. Remington. lie was asked:
What induced you 10 look To the North
Pacific coast as a suitable location for the
smelter?''
He was not slow 10 answer: First.
realized that the great mineral zone ex-
tends from the kootenai country west to
the ocean, north to Alaska and south to
the Columbia river. The more recent de-
velopments on the islands in the British
possessions from Vancouver north TO
Alaska certainly bear out this theory.
The discoveries extending along the Cas-
cade range from Slate creek through the
Cascade, Monte Cristo. Silverton, Silver
creek. Index, Miller river. Snoaualmis.
Summit and ST. Heien's districts. west Of
the Cascade summit, and from the bound
Methow. Twisp. Peshastin. Swauk and
Cle-Elum districts, east OF the summit.
also point to this conclusion. | have not
been in this country long enough 70 speak
with absolute Knowledge of this fact but
all indications point this way. Enough
developed mines are at hand, however, to
satisfy the most increduious that the
smelling facilities of the Northwest coast
are entirely inadequate to the present
needs and future development of mining
must necessarily add many times to the
present output.
AT the present time there are in the
neighborhood of $500 cars, largely concen-
trates, going East annually to the Mis-
souri, river Denver. Pueblo and Leadvilie
smelters. Some of this ore Is shipped In
bond all of which must stand freight
rate of $ii10. added to the smelling charge
and the cost of reshipment of the lead by
rail out of the United States. Necessarily.
that entails larTe expense to the mine
owners in marketing their ores.
THE location of a plant of sufficient ca
pacity To handle the product. with a refiu-
ing plant TO separate the metals at some
convenient point on the Sound, where
freights must necessarily be much less.
with water facilities to make your direct
shipments of lead bullion 70 China and
Japan. would naturally enable it TO pay A
better price for ores. That is 10 say with
river and Colorado prices. and the shorter
railway haul. the ores would naturally
yield a greater revenue to the mine owners
when shipped TO the Coast. In addition TO
that. we have thoroughly investigated the
tonnage Of ores that We will be able to
handle from California coast points Aus
tralia, Chile and Mexico. and l frankly
state that in my Judgment the state of
Washington west of the Cascade range.
with the islands In the Straits OF Georg "a
and the territory of Alaska. would be able
10 tax our capacity for smelling. Win
these facts staring US iii the face. is ii ex-
travagant to say that some place on the
Northwest coast is to he the great smeit-
ing center west of the Rocky mountains?
With the varied classes of ore. carrying in
some cases the ircn and silica. III others
the lime. in sufficient quantity to hGx
themselves. with cheap coke equal to the
Cardiff or Conneilsvilie product, why
should not Seattle become that smelling
center? IL Is my opinion that more than
one town on the Pacific coast is today
shedding the glory of her zenith, and il
behooves your citizens 10 look we'll 10
their advantages and make superhuman
efforts to bring about the desired result
and thoroughly settle for all time 10 come
the future city. with all the natural adj
vantages TO become famous. Seattle. with
the best railway facilities OF any town on
the Pacific coast. having three great trans
continental lines, should not rest there
bat push on and utilize all her natural
advantages"
Why is tho Selhy Smelling g. Refining
Company OF San Francisco 50 Jealous IN
bringing to the attention OF the people
OF Seattle the apparent fact that. should
a smelling plant be erected st this point
il could not operate successfully for lack
OF the proper ores?"
"If that statement were true how Is il
that the Everett smeiter, with "a capacity
Of 30 tons day. has managed 10 pay -
per cent on its capital stock: that the
Tacoma smeiter has. from the best infor-
nation. made in the neigh oorhood %
saza fssl3 M answer TO the gentleman ia
that perhaps no smelling plant on the
Pacific coast requires the ores from The
California coast and Mexico more than
the Selhy Smelling & Refining COMPANY
and alfn the fact staring them In the face
that there - sufficient suiphiae ore near
~ our doors to operate our plant We
would naturally bi1 high on oxlsiized ores
from Mexico. thereby reducing the cost
OF roasting There can b@ only one uoT-
stlsls object OF Nh. SeweIi-s rash state
mentss that Is. 10 deceive the people IL
this city and ~ possible. continue the
advantages the Seibv Company has on
the present purchasing price OF lhe ores
on the Pacific coast
~s-