The Ketchikan miner., 1907-12-14
THE MINES
No Cause For Encouragement Change For the Better is
 Nof Far Off

Nut iGl uff
 i. Though the production of the copper mines of the district will fall far short ot the aggregate predicted eariy in shs season. and which there was every resa>cn 10 anticipate, it will. never thsIesS, he such as to justify the most SSuguiue belief m ,he great extent and productive capsailisy, under nor nal coUdisionS. ot the copper-goid de posies of this immediate section. Of she causes which led 10 this condition of hope deferred. II is not necs>- sary to speak. since they are well known so everyone who has Kept in touch wish the trend of events in the history of copper mining throughout the world as large. and of the United States III particular. Suffice il to say shss is hSs Dos been due 10 any fault of ihe mines. developed. or in course uf development in the early part oi the yesr. xll of which then gave promise of a sure and steady increase 0 production.
 h is true of the mines which have been forced because oi reasons which need no5 be enumerated to supsen6 operations were as the time 0. their suspension in good condition for profit shle ProSucsioo. and in that respect rapidly growing better, bidding fair 10 more than realize the predictions which hS3 hesn induiged in caneern- ing the probable output for the year: oui tte owneEs aud operators could 1os havs been expected to toyesee the slump in she market which. added the finishing touch 10 the uuloward condi- sious by whish they were hsmpered. aot least among "A Mhich was the lack 0; transportation. unreIiabiiity of labor supply. eec- Still, but for tbe failure ot tsle market for the red metal Hhieh affected alike me copper mining iu- Sius.ry everywhere. including the old er and well developed districts. the mines Of chls district could and would have maiursiuesi a gradually. if not rapidly, increased production up to this time.
 1T j. well kuown ta all coovsrs1ns #ish the facts thai al the lime ot sus- pension the Mamie m.ns al Hzdley mad 5uss eas4ged upon t&o or three large nsw bodies of ore of fine quality. md zi4iag promise ot largely iU- ereese3 yLesd ot she mIae, Nn.Ie II Is equally true that -hs developments al ths 3lt- Au6Ee3 were such as to prove ll beyond question one Of .be greatest mines ever opened in this or au. other coUutry The same j.. in 3 measure. true ot the Rush and BrOHn. and .o some extent 2. least, ot other mines now idle. But II must nat be inferred from this thai ali OUT mines are idle. The JuEbo, admittedly great mine and one Of l.rge prcduc- tive capacity. is being steadily oper- ste5 !. | profit the NsbI4e2 co1tiDues sos2 in en sp. .asrenssy large hody oi ricl ote. and could have be=u making money ali along had tBe 2ora of de- galopuens been drireu as II is thought ii should hare been. w hile other ne8 and pr0Disicg properties notably the Coprise. adjoining ,he JUmao. ard the Goodso. .. Earia bay. are is cour-e 0t development @lsh large promise for the near future.
 Altogether. there is little cause fer discogrs cement. Ou lhe other hard there is eveFy r=sso1 70 a1:iclp pate change ot c011itiOnS in the near future ah.ch @ill bring renewed acsislty in the mining indOstrg Of this district, Eita consequent Ike increase of pro dUction and incigenenE 10 new devel ogDenG pb5cn will redoand to the benefit of ali co1c=rneI.
 In5irect reports from the SlblacE: =Fe to s1e effect that Q strike recently made reveais todg oi sbe best ana most promising ore % far discover =l in the mine.
 The DiFigo now due will go direct to Czltier for cargo Of marble from ilse qBafrie= al that place. Toe Miner i. pleased 10 learn ina; the cemano for the product Of these quarries l. such as 10 warrant not only Q cootInU- slce of operations, but an increase in their scope, ard the probafle opening Dt lew eBafFIes On EO>ci0s.o island Abere the comPgny la. large ted Of 5lue narb.e Of fine quality for which brisk demand has developed. A. 5rst. lbis ilge marbse was accorded litsle tsT0r. but no1 tF.e demand ior ] 1t is such as to warrant the a0ticipa- r1on Of . lasge sale for #. Thi- aIpe marble ]. situated about tAo miles from the qpsrfies no1 in operation al CzIcer.