Arizona republican., 1902-08-11
NEWS OF THE vi N O R T H |
JEROME.

 respondence of The Republican.)-Je- rome for the time being is a dead one. figurat atively speaking. The mourners go about the streets retailing their sor- row and mingling their tears. for theJ have nothing else to do. Though occa- sional groups of men are seen discuss ing the situation and in the evening a few of the brilliantly lighted resorts modify the general appearance of lone someness, in comparison with its usual activty the town may well be called deserted But there is a strong and reasonc ble hope of a blessed resurrec- ton and that at a nearer date than many now predict.
 Of the present unfortunate condition of things when viewed from the stand point of any interested party, there has been little or no eXaggeration but the faint hearted are altogether too prone to take pessimistic view There has been no lessening of the fire in the mine and it is only fair to suppose that the extent of the trouble is widening but that may not be such q calamity. The faster it burns the sooner it will stop. It has been reported by some that the ore bodies are on fire but from the very nature of things such reports are mere matters of opinion as none can approach the seat of trouble On the contrary these in d position 10 know assert that the fire originated in old ground stopes that have been worked out and refilled with waste ma terial. The fire is believed to be but ba of ba nld tiY11n he with such debris as contains q quan- tfty of sulphur sufficient to produce some combustion. The old shaft. as previously reported. is not in use owing to the presence of noXicUs gases and the upper levels have been bulkheaded in the new shaft. This, however, is q precautionary measure and is no inGi- cation that the ore bodies have been assailed. On the contrary the manage ment believes the fire is still confined to old ground. and further that it will continue to be so confined.
 If TO method can be contrived to eX- tinguish the fire it will simply have to burn itself out. That result, it is esti- mated, will ensue in from sixty to ninety days. This of course is assum- ing that the fire will be kept from the new workings.
 The company is doing its utmost tG discover a plan to at least shorten the natural life of the fire. It has complete apparatus for the generation of car bonic acid gas, the natural fire killer. and is engaged in plans for its appli- cation to the seat of trouble, the de- tails of which are not now available.
 As to the impressions Of the spec tacular which one might readily con- ceive from early reports, they are en- tirely wanting. The roasts are as usual supporting the heavy clouds of sul- phur smoke that have fingered over the canyons for years, but if smoke is is suing from the mine or from newly formed Assures in the sinking earth it is not noticeable to the casual ob server and only by the services of a guide could the curious witness this phenomena. As for the recent sinking of the surface I have so far failed to locate it.
 There is no excitement either at the works or on the city streets indicating any unusual situation. The men en- ployed go about their various duties as usual and only because it has been made public would a stranger know the situa tion is other than normal or other
 
 the SmelterS were closed down.
 The magnitude of the present indus trial misfortune, however, has not nor can it well be exaggerated. Of about 1900 men formerly employed only IFS are now working and it may be conf dently asserted that before long the force will be cut to 100 and remain az about that number till conditions war rant resumption of work, whether it be sixty or ninety days. or even longer. At present work can be provided for only those necessary to keep the ma chine shops, foundry. electrical work and similar departments running, with a few men for underground work. What that means for the commercial life of Jerome can easily be understood. It means also that the purchase of forty less carloads of coke per week will throw some men out of employ ment in the coke ovens of New Mexico. Already the |. V. p. railroad is run ming but one train daily each way in stead of three, a short time ago, anal the decrease of freight. both in and out over connecting lines is correspond ingly great. It is estimated here that at home and abroad the shut down will throw out of employment at least 2000 men. But of all, the United Verde company is the greatest loser in dollars and cents though no doubt will feel it's loss less poignantly than the hundreds who suddenly deprived of employment have rolled their blankets and sought new fields. There is no rush. no excite ment no daily change in events, and nothing to do but patiently wait.
 C. s. SCOTT.