The silver state news. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1907-1909, 1908-04-06
MINERS and THE
RAILROADS

Those who attempt to form an est1-
mate of the possible activity of the
country on the basis of what the rail
roads are doing, should take into con-
sideration variety of conditions af-
fecting the transportation business.
During the recent panic, the railroads
in general suffered through the lack of
transportation orders that resulted
from the general recession in all lines
of business. Several Of the larger
lines postponed their programme of ex-
pansion until such time as both fnan-
cial and transportation problems would
reach more solid foundation. Now
that noticeably large orders are being
placed for rails and equipment. we are
again brought face to face with the
fact that mine-making in the west is
destained for years to come to be the
principal factors in determining con-
siderable percentage of the extension
of old lines, and the founding of new
ones
Thus, almost direct connection comes
into existence between the silver, gold
lead, zinc and copper industries and the
business of mining iron and marketing
it's products. There was probably
never a time in commercial history
when the relationship between the
precious and commercial metals other
than iron, and that metal itself, were
so pronounced, as it is today. The ex-
tension of the railways is only one link
in this connection. The opening of
large agricultural tracts following the
making of mines has given us new
ri 1or Ho. far oil al e e.
machinery. just what percentage of
increase in the iron and steel business
is due to the effects on other classes of
mining will, perhaps, remain purely
problematical matter. The same form
OF relationship in varying degree
also exists between western mining pro
jects and wholesaling and retailing
lines. The business, of supplying min
ing communities with all kinds of com
modities not only creates greater pat
ronage for the railroads, but also a
steady growth in the mercantile field.
Notable examples of an increase in
population are presented in the state
of Nevada Looking back we find
several towns not then located that
are now steady and thriving camps.
Among the principal of these we may
mention Goldfeld, Tonopah, Rhyolite,
Fairview, Wonder, Manhattan and
Rawhide. And not under score. Of
other camps are coming into existence.
40 definite figures are at hand with
which to estimate the number of peo-
pie who have come into these districts,
but conservative estimate may not.
place the number of inefease in popu-
lation at not under $4,000 persons. A
good deal may be checked. off as thans-
atory, but in mapority of these
camps the growth is steady and the
population is pretty securely fixed. In
a manner Ii lines of business have ex-
perienced steady increase. While
1t is true that a majority OF the new
residents came from other districts and
pretty generally from the mineral west
they do not materially detract from
the population or business Of these
districts. The money to build up these
sections have come from all parts of
the country as well as from the for
eign states. Although business men un-
acquainted with mining conditions.
freely assert that the mining districts
are not permanent section, we can
point to innumerable section of the
west that have been thriving from ten
years to forty years, and bid fair to
endure for many years to come.
But beyond the problem of the pro-
duction of the districts this is the i'm
portance that gives to the states and
territories in which those camps are
located.-Mining Record.
1hE TOME Nr mrJrs HADrrm