The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1908-11-28
THE OTHER SIDE OF THE
SMELTER PROBLEM
The General Manager of the Smelling Company
Answers Recent Criticisms

/ fJi y oil the IDsL, HOW ever llHH4 NAl4fI
concerns have started sampling works
| at Georgetown, Central City and Boul-
der, but have not ben able 10 continue
on account OF lack OF ore production.
! The field is certainly an open one TOR
any body desiring TO engage in that
line of business.
The statement has been made by
the undersigned that the American
Smelling & Refining Company is not
and has not been in politics, This Is
absolutely true. In one county in the
state where the company has been bit
terIy assailed and most unjustly dis
eliminated against in the matter OF
tax assessments. II has felt constrained
to put few facts before the public.
but il has never at any of its places OF
operation proposed any person as a
candidate for any political office, nor
has 1t been politically active in any
way in the aid OF any candidates for of
flee.
Senator Guggenheim has repeatedly
declared his connection with the Amer
lean Smelling & Refining Company. eN-
ecutiye and financial. has been severed.
As far as the undersigned knows, this
is also absolutely true.
The Guggeuheim Exploration Com
pany has also nothing to do with the
American Smelling q Refining Com
pany affairs. excepting in so far as any
ore produced by the former is smelied
at the latter's plants. The Guggenhelm
Exploration company has spent many
huvIrrts Of fbnpGanIS nf dollars
Colorado in the prosecution OF mining
enterprises. Gen. Hall suggests that
because of an unfayorable financial
outcome OF these ventures in Colorado
the American Smelling < Refining
Company mas imposed additional
charges on the other mine operators
of the state. He wishes to know
whether 1t is unfair TO make such
suggestion. 1t is not only grossly un-
fair it is outrageous and indecent. Can
Gen. Hall cite a single instance in war
rant of his suggestion?
Had Gen. Hall desired to do so. he
could have had all OF the facts bearing
on smelling charges and ore conditions
before the publication of the Post ar
ticles which seem to have been actu-
ated by political malice and sinister
motives rather than by desire o pub
lish the truth.
Had he so desired he could have
made the fullest investigation and ill
of the facts would have been gladly
presented to him, for the American
Smelling & Refining Company has
nothing to conceal and nothing 10 mis-
represent.
The recent vilification in the Post
has not and cannot harm the smelling
company in the least for it had already
suffered a severe blow in its Colorado
interests by the decadence of Colorado
mining camps. 1t has, however, great
ly injured the state by directing forci.
BILE attention 10 the fact that the Amer
lean Smelling & Refining Company has
been obliged to close number of its
plants, and many inquiries which are
being now made as the result of those
untrue charges will reveal the fact that
the curtailmant OF the ore production
in Colorado is not and has not been
due to the levying OF unjust and bur
densome treatment charges, but to the
ranking as prolific producers of good
grade ore now are entirely depleted or
contain only mineral TOO low in value
to be mined and smelted under govern
ing metal prices. Finally. there is the
failure 10 discover new mining camps
In drawing the public's attention to
this deplorable condition. the Post
must assume the full responsibility OF
the result of its misguided course.
which can only reflect itself in driving
investments which otherwise might
have come here.
AS for the smelling company. it Will
continue In the future the course which
namely to SO act as to aid and stimu-
late the mining industry of Colorado to
its utmost, and to retain that respect
and confidence of its patrons which 1t
has secured by fair and just dealings.
With this declaration the undersigned
must beg to be relieved from further
newspaper controversy for which he
has neither time nor inclination. He
is most ready at all times. however, as
he always has been, to discuss in his
office with any ore shippers, business
of mutual interest.
FRANKLIN GUITERMAN,
General Manager Colorado Depart.
ment'