The Butte inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1901-1912, 1901-10-08
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1901.
COPPER At NOME AND ABROAD.

There is nothing in the present situa-
ton of copper to awaken in the minds
Of the people of Butte any apprehension
of permanent business depression. For
a few weeks, or, possibly, months, there
will be reduction in the volume of bust
ness, naturally resulting from a limited
curtailment of the copper output But
that curtailment, instead Of being an
occasion for alarm, is in reality a needed
protection both to business and labor in
terests, as it is expected to be the means
whereby the decentralization of copper
prices and its inevitable results may be
averted. Besides, while it is true that
the foreign demand for copper has fallen
off, the domestic consumption shows no
decrease. Safety lies in the fact that the
surplus is in the hands of the producers,
not the consumers, this time; and the
difference is most important. The con-
sumers are waiting for reduction in
price and so are buying from hand to
mouth, but when once convinced that
the ''so-called" trust has the situation
we'll in hand and can hold its surplus,
they will have to take copper at a fixed
vanish, thus restoring normal condi-
tons, to the advantage Of both bust
ness and labor interests as well as to
that OF the copper nine onEers, On the
subject Of the foreign demand the Boston
News Bureau quotes high authority,
who has just returned from London, as
follows
While demand in England, as Well as
in Germany has fallen OF 1ulng tha
past year, it cannot be denied that
Americans appear to have the situation
we'll in hand, and that in all probability
prices will be maintained. Everywhere
one hears that a working agreement as
to price and production has been
reached, and for that reason no one on
this side has the courage to sell copper
for future delivery at reduced rates. My
opinion, however, is that Americans can
only maintain the present price Of re-
fined copper by restricting the output.
What action will be taken, time alone
can tell AMI we are all awaiting any
move on the part of the leading pro-
ducers in the United States with the
greatest interest.
The same paper thus quotes the man
ager of an enterprise which is large
consumer of copper in Connecticut:
My opinion is that as the large surplus
Of copper is in one companys hands,
and as this company has apparently I'M
limited financial resources, they can hold
the price of copper pretty close to IT.
cent mark, at least until the foreign de-
mand takes some of the stock which has
accumulate ted chiefly through the business
depression which has been felt through
out Europe, and especially in Germany.
We see reports that business abroad
is resuming it's former condition, and If
this is true, consumers will have to come
into our markets for a large amount OF
copper, as there is practically no Ameri-
can copper in foreign hands. AS the in
dependent producers in this country haze
sold out their product for some months
to come, a demand for copper abroad
will probably be met with stock in the
hands of the selling agents of the Anal
gamated company.
There is no doubt but that the con-
sumption of copper in this country has
increased greatly this year, and had the
demand from abroad continued, the cop
per companies would in all probability
have been able to dispose of their entire
product without any difficulty.
Among the favorable indications of the
local situation are o. the continuation
of active work on the great Washoe
smelter at Anaconda, which will cost,
when completed. upwards of $5,O0O,O00;
(2) the reported purpose of Senator Clark
to erect new smelling plant of larger
capacity than the reduction works he is
now operating in Butte. While Senator
Clark did not himself confirm the rumor,
Charles w. Clark, who accompanied him
to Great Falls on Sunday, frankly in
formed the reporters in that city that
the object of their journey was the Sc
lection of smelter site with view to
the erection of a smelter. If there be
any man in the United States who is
as thoroughly conversant with the pres
ent copper situation as the Amalgamated
chiefs themselves that man is Hon. w
A. Clark of Butte. The fact that he is
contemplating the early erection of a
smelling plant of larger capacity than
the Reduction works on Silver Bow
creek ought to dissipate any fears which
may exist as to the future of copper
The world must have it. In the busy
marts of trade and manufacture, no less
than in the remote corners of the earth
where the trail blazers of civilization are
at work. copper is one of the essentials
of progress. Temporary depressions may
occur at odd times because of irregulari-
ties of relative supply and demand, but
no depression can long continue. So long
rs capital is building copper smelters
labor and business need not be apprehen-
sive of results.