Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1899-08-21
MINING In new MEXICO.
Some Satisfactory Changes in Methods
The School Of Mines,

|
:. The School of Mines.
Professor F. A. Jones, director of tx
l New Mexico School of Mines, at Socol
, ro, Is in the city on business tri]
, Upon being questioned in relation to tn
condition of mining interests over tn
territory as he has found them in recer
} trips to various camps, Professor Jone
said:
New Mexico is forging along at
rapid pace in the DEVELOPMENT of he
mining industries and mineral re
sources. The past year has wrought
vast change in favor of New Mexic
mining and the field for investment
The erroneous idea that this territor,
was only suited to the production o
horned toads and jack rabbits is fas
giving way before the furious blows 0
civilization and progress, which maxi
the hills and valleys reverberate in re
sponse to the new order of things.
| The chief item deserving mention il
the mining industry is the moderr
method employed in opening and devel
oping properties. Even to the most cas-.
ual observer a vast and important
change in manners and methods of min.
ing is visible in every camp visited. In
deed, l express my surprise at the diff
ference existing now in the systematic
manner Of operation and the unmethod-
lcal methods employed here, on my first
visit, decade ago.
Il would like to suggest to the pros
pectors Of the territory and those inter-
ested IN mining generally, that it is ad-
vlsable and far more profitable, gener-
ally speaking, to own fewer claims and
concentrate development. Forces scat
tered are ineffective. One claim deyel-
oped is worth score that have been
scratched over here and there. The
amount Of work done annually to hold
dozen claims, if concentrated in a GER
tain shaft or tunnel, would likely deter
mine any real value that the claim
might have, with one or two years
work. But, on the other hand, the as
sessment scattered over several claims
at different places on the claims during
different years of work, absolutely de-
termine nothing as to the real value of
any claim of the group. The secret of
Bonaparte's success at Austerlitz and
elsewhere was simply the concentrated
training Of his batteries on a single
point. Hence, the secret to successful
mining lies in a concentration of work
n single shaft or tunnel. The miners
md prospectors of the territory are be-
to realize this fundamental |
principle, and hence, the great change |
or the better over the more antiquated |
Methods of ten years ago.
Another thing worth mentioning Is
he arbitrary price asked by many pros
'ectors and miners for their partially.
developed claims. In several Instances
nave known capital literally driven
'ut of camp by the fictitious values
'laced on simple prospects. This matter
not as 1T should be; If miner asks
ne price of mine for a prospect he is
eceiving himself. Should he get the
rice of mine for his property the
roperty itself must show the develop
lent of mine.
"A fair and just price for piece of
inning property is enough for the hold
to receive. The purchaser should al
avs and expects to purchase a proper
that leaves on the margin a profit
'r his capital invested. No mines are
yer bought just for the fun of spend
g money The majority of men who
ave and are making money out of
ines have realized the truth Of the
'regoing remarks, and govern them
Ives accordingly, and hence prosper;
hile their more greedy brothers COM
ain loudly Of their hard luck. =
In regard to the School Of Mines, I i.
n more than pleased with the outlook,
I'd from the numerous inquiries con- ,
rning a mining education, it is likely
e faculty of the school will be taxed
it's utmost in properly administering
e much-needed knowledge to the de-
rving candidates, who wish to extend
cir field Of usefulness and better their
ndition.
Numerous letters from all over the
st have poured into the mail box of
e school asking for catalogs and
out the advantages derived by taking
course in our school, and I have every
ason to believe that many Of the east
n states will be represented in our
The people of the territory in general
We commended our work here last
ar, and are beginning to realize the
st field Of usefulness which this in
tuition is rendering the whole Of New
xico.". II