The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1898-01-05

turing industry is the dark spot on the
otherwise bright sun OF prosperity which
nov ia shining for ALL
The outlook for the copper market Tor
the coming year 10 as bright as a year
ago. Lake copper rules steady at III
cents and during the past twelve months
il scarcely has sold for much less and
generally trifie higher. Ii has been a
prosperous year for the lake copper min
Ing companies; for the other large copper
mining companies In the west, as well,
and all the old reliable producers have
made good showing, especially the
steady dividend payers. So far as can
be seen there il but little danger oi so
large an increase in the production the
coming year that the prices OF the metal
will be seriously affected on that account.
The new discoveries IN the Baltic and In
the Isle Royale consolidated property
are not likely to endanger the copper
market right away. although they may
become producers of no mean dimensions
in the future.
The copper market ought to be better in
1898 thBn in 1897 as the consumption
is constantly growing, 1t has been below
the normal for long time, butgradually
increasing and there is re-son to believe
that this year will see better demand
from home consumers while the foreign
consumption is hardly likely TO fall off
owing to the great activity in the foreign
countries in charging navies and keeping
the armies well equipped In case OF en-
ergencies. The foreign war clouds refuse
to be dispelled and tits barely possiblethis
year that more foreign wars will
favor the United States as a producing
country OF both food and supplies in the
way of copper. especially. Home indus
tries will flourish despite theforeign wars.
The record OF the advance in the cop
per shares during the past year is ex'
tremely gratifying to the holders OF the
copper stocks. Patient holders have |
been rewarded with higher prices and
as long as the copper market maintains |
it's present firm position, there is little
danger of any material decline, except
what may be induced by the bear trad
ers through Misrepresentation. Besides
dividends from developed properties the
coming year, the holders OF shares in
several mines may be called upon to
more capital in the way OF
for development purposes.
Before paying additional assessments, it
would be seen to be an ordinary pieces OF
p recaution and business sagaeity for the
holders OF Centennial and Arnold TO sat
sfy themselves that their respective pro.
Derties actually were as good as repre-
'ented and that the outlay.oi additional
money was warranted by fact.
Assessments can be levied and east v
during period like the present
when people feel elated over the bright
prospects OF the future and the dark side
II the picture ia turned TO the wall.
'hareh olders, however, have a way OF
citing arrangements do too much as
hey please. Corporate managements
generally take the position of master in
tead of the position OF servants to the
hareholders. Arrangements are in tie
osition OF trustees and should ask PEI ,
llsslon OF the owners to, do 80 and &C; 3
hey should enlighten the shareholders
n every point regarding the property in 4
heir charge and should encourage priv I
te investigation to sse il their calls for
assessments are justified. So long az
management is returning large diyi- ;,
En- DIS to shareholders there ia little need :,
,r interference from stockholders n the 7
liter are satisfied with the dividends $
aid. but until a mine reaches such a a
'age OF physical and financial develop 81
tent, the shareholders should not be "
enied the right to inquire into the hnan- i
al operations OF the company and into =
ne actual condition OF their property 81
trough independent aud unprejudiced a,
gencies.
The Arnold assessment will be called
an early day and the Centennial ia
kpected to follow suit later on when it il
ecomes evident that a larger stamping y
INIT is required. Although the man. !.
cement OF the latter company appears =
have great adherence for the word !,
ssessment, people who know the proper h
from TO z say that larger mill Il
nd better facilities must be had and t
lat assessment must be called in order G
provide the wherewithal.
Speculation as to the Boston & Mon
ina company's dividend this year are !
dulged in to a greater or less extent
nd the general opinion points to a 7
rger distribution in the shape OF extra I
vidends the last two quarters OF 1898, 6
the copper market warrants the pay
ent. The company earned $40 per
lare last year, paid $12 DER share and
tded round sum to it's surplus, as well
3 providing for the regular sinking fund
'arges for the redemption OF it's bonds.
Undoubtedly it is a valuable property,