The San Francisco call., 1903-09-21
ORIGIN OF GOLD.

II ROM Nome comes pamphlet by Conrad Stem
setting forth theory OF the origin of gold,
which the author describes as of particular in
tercst 10 the people Of Nome" In these days of sci
eutc speculation it is also of interest the general
ublc since it furnishes what is least plausible
explanation OF the method by which nature has pro-
duced and continues to produce her golden ores.
Starting with the sound proposition that what
ture has done once she is always doing, Mr.. Stem
argues that the process by which gold was produced
IN the past is going on continually and that
stores OF gold are being wrought out in the giant
laboratories of nature with inexhaustibe and un
ceasing energy. The particular interest which Nome
has in the theory is due to the fact that according
to the author, the production OF gold is always
ried on under glacial conditions the precious metal
being the result of the fusion OF elementary matter
bv volcanic heat under the pressure of mighty ice
caps.
Mr. Stem says: Eve have evidence that gold grows.
Conceiving it as a product of time, produce of
natures great laboratory that is actively refn
ing. may it not well be that the best breeding and
producing grounds of gold lying under these
very ice caps? The downward pressure OF the ice
and the upward pressure of the earth alike
and with these titanic hammer and anvil orges
matter to the fineness of gold.
geological argument too elaborate to be accu-
maintain the thesis that Seward peninsula uttng
as if does between the frozen north and the Pacific
bears the brunt of the conflict between those forces
which tend to spread Arctic conditions downward to
the south and the counterbaancing forces that tend
TO uphold the existing equilibrium. He says: "Over
its extent the ice of the Arctic and the
of the Pacific have fought for supremacy through
the ages In periods it has been compressed and
depressed by towering mountains Of ice and in others
following the sea would wash clean over it from the
south Whenever it became relieved from the
bearing it would always gradually rise and rearing
its head high above the sea, would hold once more
the gate against the north"
1t will be perceived that the theory requires for its
maintenance proof that wherever gold is found
there has once been tremendous ice cap but that
does not disturb the author. He says: Take region
after region and by studying thoroughly their for
nations and by following closely all the traces yet in
existence you shall see in what places alternately
through the ages the poles situated where
the central ice cap rested how from the central
the glacial streams radiated.
In explanation of the method by which the gold
production is carried beneath the Arctic ice cap
he saws: Slowly and surely the ice cap is grinding
along crushing and shifting rocks and strata with
indomitable force All at it strikes a spark,
which catches in the mbedded and compressed layers
upon layers of what once was lte-highly resinous
trees pups of all sorts, suphurs nitres, etc. The
substances are on fire. They burn explode and then
smolder, explode and explode again There is no
escape for the gases The ice cap doubles them
back on the fire. Steadily fed by them the heat
grows stronger and stronger. With the upward
pressure of the heat the downward pressure of the
indomitable ice increases. That is natures for
mdabe smeter; none of the gases escape, but all
their virtues stay with the mass which is in a con-
tinuous state of chemical metamorphosis."
1t will be seen that upon this theory Nome be-
comes the center of natures gold laboratory in our