The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-05-05
Increase in Value of Product in
1899 $774,2OO.
Lead Shows $22,754 Advance
For Same Period.
''MILLIONS IN IT,.
Value of These Products For
One Year Over So 100000.
Labor Commissioner JOhnsOn's
Conclusions on Zinc and Lead.

There was an increase in the value of
the zinc mined in the GaIena-Empire,
Kan, district for 1899, compared with
1888, amounting to $744, 200.45. This in
crease in h value Of the product took
place despite the fact that the output
decreased p, 5S4, $50 pounds.
The lead output for 1899 shows an in
crease in value compared with 1888 OF
$22, 754.95. There was a decrease in the
output of ], 649, 900 pounds.
The total increase in the value of the
two products for 1899 is S766, 1854
The year 1899 has been the most pros
porous in the history of the state lead
and zinc mining. This has been due to
several causes, but primarily to a mark
ed advance in the price of zinc and lead.
The average price for zinc ore for 1899
was 1921 against 1852 for 1888. In
1898 lead ore sold for $21.02 per 1000
pounds While it brought S26.32 in 1899.
The conditions and methods of mining
have also undergone radical changes in
the past two years. The year 1899
shows an increase of double the number
Of modern concentrating plants and the
number of mills In approximate
100, the old hand-jig methods having
been superseded by modern methods.
The total value of the output of lea
and zinc for 1899 vas 1924, 094.40. The
total value of the output for 1898 was
$2,447, 029.
This information will be found in the
forthcoming annual report of State
Labor Commissioner johnson. The re-
port will say:
The old system of purchasing ores
pursued by the smelters were very IN
satisfactory and in the latter part of
December, 1898, a meeting was, called at
Joplin, Mo-, of the leading zinc miners
and the Missouri and kansas Yin Min
ers' association was formed and plans
were gradually perfected for the better
ment of the condition relating to the
sale of zinc ores.
The contention of the association is
that zinc hould be sold on a basis sim
liar to that governing the sale of lead
and the price to vary on the assay of the
metallic zinc. After carefully %investi-
eating all h data that could be pro-
cured the board of directors established
a schedule based on the price of spelter
in st. Louis; that the price of ore, assay
ing 60 per cent metallic zinc, should be
seven times the market price of 100
pounds Of smelter in st. Louis, the
price per ton to vary above OF below
that for so per cent metal, one dollar
per point on the assay, and a reduc-
ton of 81 per ton on all ores carrying
more h n per cent of iron.
The prices as adopted by the board
of directors at their weekly meetings
have generally been maintained and the
market conditions have been very much
better than those which formerly pre-
vailed.
by the hearty cooperation of the
zinc miners the producers could contrOl
the situation. Twice during the year
during July and October the board called
for a shutdown to better the condition
which was generally observed by the
mills in the district.
THE future of lead and zinc mining
in the Galena-Empire district is nc
longer an experiment. The large amount
of capital which has been attracted
there by the. sure returns on the invest
ment, the discovery of deeper veins OF
mineral both by drilling and the sink
ing of shafts to lower levels show that
the industry is still in it's infancy and
the present generation will see ore
mined at 400 and 500 foot levels"