The Elk Mountain pilot., 1909-02-25
Mining Conditions Good

of 1908 were up against the most
adverse conditions Witnessed since
the beginning of the Goth centary,
the showing made was most salts.
factory. It will he remembered
that the mining outlook in this
country for the tirst nine months
Of 1907 was exceptionally bright
and prices for all the metals mined
in the state went soaring above
anything before known especially
that OF copper, zinc ard lead. But
q change came over the scene dur
ing the closing months Of the old
year when the bankers panic struck
the country and which well neigh
parallized al industries and the
new year was ushered in midst
scenes of confusion aud darkest
forbodings. The prices On copper
dropped from twenty-six cents per
pound to twelve cents. and witlr
lead and zinc down from six to -four
cents. This cut out practically all
new enterprises then starting and
occasioned the suspending OF many
others heretofore operating at good
profit. Statistics show decreased
tonnage sent to the smrlters. but
this Was due largely to the fact
that ms,,y OF the large mines ARE
milling much Of their productwhich
is especially true of the Cripple
Creek district where the ton
mage has exceeded that of any
year during the hiotory Of the
camp. There has been . lack Of
new discoveries owing to the ab.
sense Of prospectors who have q
bandon.d the p~rsui, On account Of
the RESTRICTIONS OF the forestry DE-.
partrent which have included ali
desirable mining field in the Rocky
Mountain region. The forestry Nd.
miListratiou would have 10 believe
(. the c.,a,sasy bss ti.s fscts - to
show the faulsity OF its position
aud the untruth Of their statements
About the only thing that has
been done in the way OF better.
ment in mining lines during the
year psst 10 sem in the resumption
OF work on old abandoned proper
ties and the building OF new mills
for the treatment of the dumps aud
aud low grade ores of the mines
still operating. There are NJ new
miniux districts springing into
prominen:e % nor probably will there
be until the absolute rrmuval Of al
restrictions relative to the entire
p.'session, development and certain
ty Of title scquirment 10 a,snred to
the prospector aud mine operator.
The mining fraternity do not, nur
will they a ,cept the conditions i'm
posed. or be satislied with the ru!-
ings and methods adopted by the
Bureau Of Forrstry. and the min.
ing industries OF the entire west
will remsin without further pro.
gress or prosperity until the min
ing fields are restored to rxplora.
non and entry without lease or
hindrance to any citizen Of the
United States as the law express
ly provides and ~e shall look for
no fnrtur~ mining booms ~ Aspen
Greed and Cripple Greek witnessed
A system Of leasing has been
adopted in many Of the lradiuy
mining districts over the state that
has brought beneficial results and
proven q helpful resource during
the recent pannirky conditions.
Thousands OF miners are working
on their own time upon leases OBJ.
tanned in the old mines where they
csed to work aud are ms skiing more
than accustomed wages. As q rule
these miners know m 'rr about the
mine than the owners or superin.
tendent and can 20 into the mine.
dig q drift aud find ore when the
munsvemant would loos+ money
The Stratton Independence clear
ed a million dollars for the comp
and the Grst year it was given over