The Colorado statesman., 1908-11-14

ton has been the operation OF all the
works of the company under full ca
pacity. Furthermore, the company
has not hesitated in the reduction of
treatment charges to anticipate the
benefits which it was expected would
be realized by the introduction of i'm
provements in which large sums have
been expended and to give the same
in largest measure to the ore producer.
The changing conditions of ore pro-
duction in the state have brought
about a situation which could not sat
isfactorily be met up to the present.
The iron sulphides, of which there is
superabundanl quantity and which
have always commanded the very low
est treatment charges on account of
their fluxing character, have steadily
declined in value. The silicious ores
which are necessary to the smelling
of the iron sulphides, have steadily
grown less and less in their production
although Treatment charges have con-
tinually been reduced in order to pro-
mote the output. Lead ores from
Colorado have become a steadily di-
minishing factor, so that for the smelt-
ing of the tonnages which are now
available at least seventy per cent. of
the necessary lead has to be brought
in from outside districts.
Without a very close study and con-
seQuent familiarity with these complex
conditions, it is not possible for any
one to pass a correct or just judgment
on the situation. The ridiculous cry
of persons who are unfamiliar with the
business, and others who have so lit
tie knowledge of it as to formulate
weird statistics, that the chief object
of the American Smelling and
Refining Company is to crush mines
out of existence, thereby closing down
its own works, seems to be too silly to
call for comment. So also may the
asinine charges that the American
Smelling and Refining Company con-
ducts its business in a dishonest way
be dismissed from the consideration of
all decent people.
Best Machinery Used to Secure Very
Best Results.
In the pursuit and carrying out of
its business, the company has installed
the most perfect apparatus and para
phernalia known in the art of smelt-
ing for the correct determination and
valuation of ore received by it. The
weighing and sampling are conducted
under the most rigid methods, which
make for accuracy, and at all time~
are the works and methods of the COM
pany open to the most searching scru-
tiny of ore shippers or representatives
who may be delegated by them to look
after their interests.
The company is in no wise inter
ested in any public or private sam
piers, and in giving the concerns the
greatest latitude in the sampling and
purchasing of ores for its account, it
puts them on exactly the same basis
of regulation as is the case with ship
pers who send ores direct to the
smelters.
If the ore schedules which are Of
fered to shippers seem to be somewhat
complex to the layman, it may be said
that they are the result of the evolu-
tion from schedules which We're intro
duced in Colorado over a generation
ago. To the man, however, who is
continually selling ore, and who can
easily figure out the resultant value in
applying the schedules to his own ore,
the rates are not mysterious. The
question finally resolves itself into
one of net payment for the metals
contained in the ore, and the net value
of the ore to the producer after all
charges have been met. If the rate is
such as will enable him to produce at
profit, the ore will be mined Other
wise it is sure to remain in the ground.
The American Smelling and Refin-
ing Company has no monopoly in it's
business. 1t has no secret processes
nor has it monopoly of the technical
and business talent, which is neces-
sary to successfully conduct it's enter
prises. 1t has no privileges in the
matter of secret railway rates, and
has constantly exerted it's efforts with
the railways for the obtaining of min
imum freight charges, the benefit of
which when secured has been given to
the ore producer.
The company has been charged with
the new crime OF employing brains in
the conduct of its business. 1t pleads
guilty to this accusation, but in doing
SO claims that it should and does have
a keen recognition of the fact that be-
ing entirely dependent on the prosper
ity of the mining industry, it certainly
cannot thrive in its downfall.
FRANKLIN GUITERMAN,
General Manager Colorado Depart
ment American Smelling and Re-
filming Company.