The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1900-03-15
Summary of the Past Years Pro-
duct of Precious Metals.
VERY SUBSTANTIAL CONDITION
Goldand silver Output Of 1899 Greatly Excels
that Of 1898.

piles the following statement of last
years production of metals and
minerals:
GoLD-As in practically all metals,
the production of gold for 1899 was
much larger than the previous year.
In 1898 the output for the United
States was $65, O82, 430; in 1899 it
was $72, 483, 055. For the world,
1899 gave gold production of S313,-
954, 468, as against $3.50, l47, 779 in
1898. Last years output weighed
Is, 175, 1874 fine ounces. This show
ing for the United States is crafty
ing, in that the substantial increase
demonstrates larger activity in gold
mining, and that new properties are
now producing.
SILVER 1t is impossible to secure
anything like accurate figures on the
output OF the world, 80 must remark
only on the United States and Mex
leo. During the year we produced
63, 900, 600 ounces, an increase over
1898 of 4, 1000, 600 ounces. Mexicos
advance was 22,771 Kilograms, her
total output for the year being L.
791, ia kgs. For this country we
have cause for congratulation over
the increased production, as it evil
dences that the silver mining indus.
try again has an upward tendency,
and this continuing will advert to
the great benefit Of Idaho. 1t is
within reason that the white metal
has seen its day of poverty, and is
now firmly upon prosperity's ladder.
The demand for silver increases. both
for monetary purposes, for jewelry,
and in the arts. Lead, usually an
allied mineral, is more active than
during previous years, and this will
assist in an increased output of sill
yer. The owners of silver proper
ties look forward to several years of
their old time active prosperity.
COPPER. The year 1899, while
showing great activity in copper,
did notsee so great an increase IN
production as has been popularity be-
lieved, being but 1916 per cent over
1898, the figures for that year, for
the United States, footing up 535,
900, 232 pounds, while for the year
just passed it amounted to 592, 672, :
637 pounds. This amount, however.
is 65 per cent Of all the copper pro-
duced in the world, thus giving the
United States 80 much of an advan-
tage as may not be overcome for
years, if ever. The difference in ex
ports of the metal, and of the total
consumption, was much greater than
in production, the increase in con-
sumption amounting to 35, 600 tons
more than in 1898, while two years
ago we exported 20, 900 tons more
copper than in 1899.
With so large an increase in con-
sumption, and decrease in exports,
one naturally inquiries why there was
not greater increase in production,
especially when it is known that in
the Lake Superior, and the Arizona.
sections, the increase was very con
siderable. Montana, the greatest
producer in this country, lessened
her output materially. When one
understands the ramifcations of that
barnacle, the copper trust, and notes
that wherever it has foothold was a
lessening OF output, then the cloven
hoof is revealed. This combination
has started inauspiciously, because
il has already, in some measure, at
tempted to control the copper mine
operator, dictate the output, and de-
termine the price. 1t purposed alb
solute domination of the copper in
terests of this country; and in its
failure so to do the miners have
scored enough of victory to weaken
the trust stock materially In a
few-and considering the circum-
stances it was a very circumstances
the trust secured properties by pay
ing exhorbitant prices; but, between
>dickering, having, and threats they