Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-11-28
a uew yellow Peril.
Minneapolis 1'r bune.1

A striking illustration of new and
colossal methods in inc ustrial opera
tons is given in the Gu rent Booklov-
ors' Magazine by Howard Bolce, who
Describes the mining ships which plow
their way thru lands beneath whose
surface gold lies concea ed and whose
success makes the results Of the old
placer mining seem very small.
These steel monsters which dig
their own seas and absorb the treasure
as they pass" are elabors tely described.
Their cost. which is from $4,000 to
$4,000. is trifling when compared with
tier immense profits. They never re-
race their steps, but they leave in
their wake heaped up boulders and
bedrock. Fluotillas of Them are now
blowing up some of the fairest valleys
Of the new west and arr planning ex-
tensive Journeys thru the Yukon valley,
thru Asia and the te islands be-
meath whose soil there are supposed to-
lie stores of gold.
The lands on which the owners Of the
god ships have thus far carried on
their operations have been valued at
from 5000 to $1,000 per acre. The gold
companies have often paid for them as
high as 100000 per acre, on account OF
their rich gold deposits. They tear up
fertile ,sc,es and displa oe the soil at
cost Of from two to three cents per
ton. SO thorough is the dredging work
OF .hesc ships that 1t Is estimated that
only one.:enth of one FER cent Of the
gold In Their path escares.
The fertile Ruby valley Of California
Is mentioned as having been trans
formed into a desert by the gold ships.
Rich plains in Idaho, Montana and
Colorado have met with a like fate.
Wherever they go blrren waste is
left behind hem. The valley Of Oron-
Vile, Cal, one Of the finest fruit-pro-
duc:ng rcsions Of the world, on the dis
covery Of gold beneath its surface, was
marked for destruction, and with 1t the
county eeat, the thriving city Of Oron-
Vile. a rich and thriving town. Its
orchards, groves and pleasant places
are a thing Of the past.
Tre desolation brought upon this
valley srd many other Inc fruit-bear-
ing regions of the Pa'.ific slope has
caused such serious alarm among citi-
zsus not interested in the gold bust
,ss but anxious for thu, future of this
garden spot Of our country, that they
are anxiously asking, what is to be
done?"
A government expert who has made
survey Of the devasta led sections re-
comments the passage VI a law requir-
ing the lnlr.ing ship companies to pro-
vde en- their ships ma ,hinery for re-
claiming the lands they have laid waste
and advises that for tt is service they
receive 500 per acre. He would also
have these companies fe Ridden the ex-
ploitatlcn Of any lands which they do
not agree to restore 10 their former
surface. He argues that these new
made lands will be rendered far more
fertile on account Of he removal of
their mineral deposits. The destruction
of valuable fruit orchards is not the
only evil that has followed this re-
norseless quest for god. Many towns
and cities are doomed. Some have al
ready been destroyed
After q, very full revi sw OF the situa-
ton Mr.. Bolce concludes that no
amount OF gold can Offset the ann!hi-
lation of some of the finest and most
fruitful valleys of the earth, and that
this search for the precious metal by
means of monstrous steel fiotillas has
become a genuine yellow peril. The
gold ship companies fern close cor
poration and carry on their work with
all possible secrecy.