The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-11-06

big GUNS" IN U. P.
Noteworthy Gathering Of Presidents
Of Copper Mines in the North
ern Peninsula.
Personal Inspection Of the Proper
ties-Wharves Cleaned Of the
Refined Metal.
Special to The Journal.

Special to The Journal
Houghton. Mich, Nov. 6,--Tlle pres snt.
week has seen the most complete gather
ing of presidents of Lake Superior cop.
per mining companies ever noted in this
district, the list OF such visitors to the
local field including Presidents Agassiz
of the Calumet & Hecla, Stanton of the
Baltic, Wolverine, Mohawk Michigan and
Winona; Todd of the Quincy, Rigelow of
the Osceola, Tamarack and Isle Royale,
Paine of the Copper Range and Fay Of The
Centennial Mayf1ower Old Colony and
Union Land and Copper company.
Efforts have been made to find some
ultarior motive in such an unusual con-
gregation Of officials controlling about 95
per cent of the productive capacity of the
district but 1T does not seem probable
that the visits are being made for any
other purpose than to inspect the prop
critics.
The Michigan should be able to begin
production next week. All that is now
lacking is a,slittle final work in balasting
the extension of the Mineral Range rail
road to the shafts. One stamp will be
used, on day shifts only, and this will
crush 225 to $50 tons of rock daily. Nth.
The fine weather of early November is
being utilized to clean the wharves Of re-
fined copper. With the close Of lake navi-
cation, the copper must be held until
spring, or forwarded by all-rail routes,
at an average cost of about IS a short
ton grea ter than the mixed lake and rail
freights now enjoyed. For several winters
past the copper has been shipped to the
seaboard by rail, until a few weeks before
the opening Of navigation in April or May.
and owing to the rather small supplies of
copper now on hand. it is probable that
all-rail shipments will be begun before the
close of the year. Should the Montana
mines remain closed, all-rail shipments
will be inevitable.
Lack Of Experienced Miners.
Despite the closing down Of several iron
mines in the lake district, and reductions
in forces at many of the properties re-
naming active. the supply Of skilled min
ers does not Seem to increase in the cop
per: district; There is no scarcity Of, COM
mon labor, but there is an actual shortage
Of experienced miners. The scarcity is
not serious but several hundred good men
could be employed to advantage, if found.
| 1t is not probable that the iron mines will
make further Important reductions in
forces. tho a few more men will be let
out from time to time.
The new No. 2 shaft of the Winona is
to be sunk to the sixth level during the
winter. The bottom of the shaft is in
good ground and the Winona continues to
supply it's quota of medium grade stamp
rock to the single head running thereon at
the Atlantic mill.
| The skip is now running to the twelfth
| level in the main shaft of the Victoria
| mine. The Victoria is much the deepest
mine in Ontonagon county. and the work
Of development. is being done in a very
/ thoro as well" as in a highly economical
manner e
s.sl Among the Properties.
| The new sllafthouse at "a shaft of the
! Atlantic is lin commission. replacing the
/ structure burned last summer
I William P. Smith is in charge Of the
/ Quincy smelters, having assumed control
/ on Monday, succeeding James r. Cooper
who took the srnelter on a five year con-
tract, when built by the Quincy company
/ in 1898.
The Old Colony and Mayfower are con
Itinuing exploratory work, but the results
secured by four years Of efforts are main
/ ly of a negative nature
No. shaft of the Elm River is now
more than 400 feet in depth. 1t is the in.
tention of the management TO sink to per.
haps 1000 feet in depth, before opening OF
| the Winona lode.
Good progress is being made in the cree.
ton Of the buildings Of the Michigan
Smelling company, two miles west O