Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-08-13

throughout the works. 1t was indeed a
lesson IN economy, and when I referred to
IL Mr. Thunderstorm said 1.-THE nitrate
pfolits or today are a question of small
savings. We make so much that the diff
ference or a cent in the cost of a uuntal
or 100 pounds, is an important item II
least $1,000 a month" Mr. Humherstona
also showed me how the iodine of com
inefce Is made from this nitrate iauor. 1t
is an element separate and apart from the
nitrate i, OF soda and 1t forms another valu-
abe product of the nitrate fields II Is
precipitated in tanks by means of bis,,l-
pnite OF soda, and is drawn off in the shane
or dirty black powder The powder ,s
washed and filtered and is then put into
IRON retorts and heated 1t soon turns TO
Vapor, which is conducted into pipes of fire.
clay, IN which as it cools it changes into
crystals of a beautiful violet color These
are PACKED up and shipped to our country
and to Europe. The sale of iodine &c
monopoly in the hands of Anthony C,ihhs
d Co. OF London. The different COMPANIES
nave formed trust which controls the
product OF the world and dictates lust how
much each factory may make every wear
Inc price is now, l am told, pence ner
ounce PEI
What 1t Costs to Make Nitrate
People who think that MONEY! ia easi1,,
made in nitrate are much mistaken Two
business requires large capital and tho
most careful MANAGEMENT. The nr,oes 80
nitrate lands have steadily risen of late
years and today the only properties to ha
gotten outside of those in the hands of +ha
seventy-nine factories which are now IN
existence are from the Chilean Govern
fneht, which only sells at auctions, which
are periodically held. The last auction wa.
held in 1894, when 1000 acres wera m na
praised at $3.50 COO and sold, I believe
lot more than their appraisement An,
ofher properly was appraised at 50 500 900
lot nitrate of soda, and while 1t is heIiavsd
that the amount in sight will last tho IyorId
at the present rate for fifty Years end
more, the Chilean government is anxious
MI llot " rum the business out of which it
gets SO great revenue by throwing mora
lands just now on the markets. Even aftar
the land is bought it costs an enornoons
a .h TO establish nitrate factory. Take
e. 600 ~ 600 aqua = santa. 1t has a capital of
~ per cent, or $500 900 year The factor,
alone cost $655 900, and in addttion thors
mas Deen put in a Westinghouse electr;c
buildings which cost $212 600. and ,ts uatas
supply cost $51 900. 1t is now ennl"i
ooo hands. who receive S6OOO0 mon.t
anu II supports about the works a colonr
800 ,'V or enan 5000 souls. 1t owns a rail-
ROAD 10 the seaport of Caleta Buena Will
port also belongs to It, and from I,b;ah =.
ssnlps Its nitrate. Like all Of the fao,orio ~
~ mas large store connected with tbe
:. -. Inv d Siedt part or the wages of tho
i'eh are spent upon the ground
Iquique a Nitrate Town.
inns is only one Of the great estah1isb-
ments which the nitrate rock has LII.
IN desert 1t has built numerous o+har
factories and 1t Is now keeping toms 80
thousands OF men at work. All alone ~
nitrate railroad there are towns containire
houses OF corrugated iron, with hotels ara
stores, and at the seacoast, which &C. =,
anything, more barren and desert-,ike ~.
the nitrate fields themselves thera
number OF thriving cities, all Of whioh d
pend entirely upon these nitrate dsnnsits
axe lquique, Tor instance. 1t lies On tha
s saS oi the sea. right under the races
hills which fringe the coast Thar rassed
d piaae OF grass about it. and NOT !. 49, n.y.
water, save that which is brought hp ~
SLIPS or In the iron pipe line. seventv's,.n
mics long, with Which it has been connao.
CO. Win the springs of Plea in the intent.
gun. iquique has 10000 people. and 49,
to valparaiso, it is the most tbL,,;,,,, next
port IN chile. 1t has wide streets 80
phones and electric lights and a street 90
me, with Chilean maidens as condnctor.
II mas newspapers, theater and g go
Wet n ensn cluD as You will find along the
west coast OF South America It has God
stores and markets, and though ~ 500
duces almost nothing but nitrate of 500 =.
mas everything from the outside ~ ~
can nVe as Well here and have as gra.t
Oh eatng as any place in South
America Antofagasta, though NOT as Jo..L
as lquique, is almost eouaIlv ueu f as large
ana there are half dozen other norts 49,
IN the desert which are nourisbed - n.Ie
soda. FRANK q TtD66 n.yra.e OF
Compelling Prestige.