Durango semi-weekly herald., 1902-04-07
IMPROVEMENTS ORDER
OF THE DAY IN DURANGO
lwo Hundred Thousand for Sneter Says Mr. Gugeenhem
Brewery Improvements, New Foundry, Steam
Stone Saw Mill, Soap Factory, Etc.

Two hundred thousand dollars for
smeter improvements.
This is the sum Simon Guggenheim
says is going to be spent in re-
modelling the Durango plant The
smelter magnate impaired this in
formation to a reporter of the Denver
Republican. 1t is in line with what
Mr.. Guggenheim stated to represen-
tative of The Herald when here some
Two months ago At that time he
said the works had been inspected
but that nothing would be given out
until the meeting in New York. 1t is
evident the officials looked favorably
upon the proposition. 1t means much
for this section. 1t means that Du-
range is regarded as a proper smelt-
ing point and it means that the works
will be doubled in capacity which in
turn means more men and more pros
perity for our people.
Durango was rightly dubbed the
'Smelter City" some years ago. With
vast reduction works, coal interests,
oil industry. coupled with agriculture
and other pursuits. it should not be
long before capitalists take up the
southern road proposition. The Her
aid predicts that within a year or two
our city will have ten thousand peo-
pie and increasing the capacity of the
local smelter will have much to do
with it. The Denver Republican ar
ticle is as follows:
Il believe that the coming 2 months
will see a great improvement in the
market price and demand for all the
metals in which Colorado is interest
ed said Simon Guggenheim yester-
day aftrnoon. Mr.. Guggenheim, who
is chairman of the executive commit
tee of the directors of the American
Smelling & Refining company, reach
ed this city yesterday. He will make
tour of all the smelters in Colorado
and will then go to Utah to see the
new smelter there.
The outlook for silver, think, has
improved, because the prospect of
passing the Philippine coinage bill
Is good. The measure will provide
new market for the metal and
will. | think, materially effect the
price. Just what price may be reach
The lead situation is more roseate
This caused by the prosperity all over
the country. The farmers are paint
ing their houses, and that means
the consumption of an immense
amount of lead used in making white
lead Then the great amount of
construction work which is being done
all over the country will require
corresponding amount of lead pipe.
believe that the market for that metal
will be much improved.
Copper, | believe, will raise in
price somewhat because of an agree
ment between the various interests
which will probably be made within
the next ~ months. | do not be-
lieve copper will go back where it
was before-that is not reasonable to
expect-but it may go to 13 or IA
cents which is perhaps normal and
natural price. The outlook may ap-
pear little blue for some of the met
ais just now. but believe that the
future holds much better prospects.
The company is going ahead with
its plans in Colorado. Practically
new smelter will be built at Durango
in the reconstruction of the plant at
that point. We shall spend more than
100000 there and greatly increase
the capacity of the plant. We are
spending $150.000 on the Arkansas
valley plant at Leadville, putting in
new sampler as well as a new power
plant The new plant at Salt Lake
City which has cost more than 10O0-
900. will open probably May /, and the
zinc plant will be ready in about eight
months.