Gilpin observer., 1906-11-22
Fair Deal Is Demanded.

The editor of the Mining and Scien-
tihc Press. who attended the recent
session of the American Mining Con-
gress and listened to the grievances
against the smelter trust and Mr.. Gui-
tesmans reply. discusses the matter at
length in his paper. The digest which
follows, says Gen. Frank Hall in the
Denver Post, contains the more essen
tial facts in the case. Mr. Rickard
writes very sensibly about the contro-
versy ana tells good deal of truth
while endeavoring to do justice to both
sides. In regard to the new regula-
tions for sampling which have caused
much complaint, he says: Much OF
the talk of sampling ore and ore settle
ments overlcoks the fact that tho
whole technical process of assaying
and sampling is based on the doctrine
of averages. Mine managers are apt to
ask for settlement on the highest as
say and to demand a resampling when
smelter assay Is lower than theirs.
1T is hard for seller OF ore to be-
lieve that the highest assay does not
represent the most accurate result. On
tie other side. the smelter manager
of'en insists on hand sampling or other
methods that introduce the personal
equation and subvert the doctrine or
averages" This is all right as far as 1t
goes, but the miners of Colorado OBJ
ject more strenuously than Mr.. Rick
ard knows to the abolition of the um-
pire which under former regulations
stood as n protection to the producer
ard. it is assumed, insured fair deal
as between himself and the buyer. Mr..
Riokard thinks this matter should be
under the control of inspectors or other
Nor rho F,tt11 hot ,p.
ness to detect chic'nery on either side
1t is presumed that he means state in
srectors. but to make that plan ef-
fccive legislation is necessary.
Again. nexr comes the question OF
competition. Mr.. Rickard writes rather
forcefully when he declares that the
mine operators are largely to blame
for the absence of II. If an indepen-
dent smelter starts to work-for exam
ple at Golden or Salida-they give II
wprm welcome and send their ore to
the new market, which gives them
cheaper treatment. Then, in the ordi-
nary course of human events. the
American Smelling and Refining Com
pany lowers the rates so as to take the
business from its competitor. Promptly
the mine operators desert the opposi-
ton. Their guide is self interest: so
Is the smelling company's. THE pub
lie welfare" he AYERS. "or the prosper
Try OF the state or the development OF
mining district are all made subser-
Went to the exigencies of business
Sentiment is conspicuously absent
which is literally true.
But here Is another phase OF the
question. THE strong position OF the
smelter combination is based, not on
its huge capital. its ore contracts, its
many reduction works. but on a mo
nopoly of talent: take away the highly
siilled and widely experienced metal
lurgical specialists and constructing
engineers that are now the active force
In It's manifold operations, and II would
become merely big stock company,
controlled by n lot of clever capitalists
We do not underrate the ability and in
tegrity Of the particular family identi-
fled with the smelter combination; but
they are not technical men-they are
shrewd financiers. They owe their
dominant position to the corps OF tech
nical experts whom they have retained
f'irst-class technical ability is rarer
than money"
But after all Is said, the whole mat
ter settles down to this-the producer
wants a square deal, and should have
1t, for 1t is he that takes the greater
risk. Any method that will satisfy him
that he is being dealt fairly with.
whether 1t be umpiring or state in.
srection, will go far to do away with
the everlasting complaints about un-
fair dealing.