Los Angeles herald., 1909-09-20
WILL TALK TO
MINING CLUB
JOHN HAYS HAMMOND VISITS
LOS ANGELES
CONFlDANT OF TAFT WILL BE
GUEST OF SIERRA MADRE MEN
Luncheon In His Honor VIII Be Given
at Handsome Quarters on
Tuesday Afternoon
at 1890 O'Clock
John HAYS HAMMOND, the fore

Ohm HAYS HAMMOND, the fore
most mining engineer in the
world, Yale college-mate and con-
fldant of President Taft, president of
the Rocky Mountain club of New York
and for many years in charge Of the
immense mining operations of the
| Guggenhelm syndicate at a princely
salary, arrived in Los Angeles yes
terday from a trip of inspection of
mines in Mohave county, Ariz., and is
now quartered at the Alexandria ho-
tel, where he will remain for several
days on business connected with i'm
portant mining deals in the territory.
From here Mr.. Hammond will proceed
to Salt Lake City, where he will meet
President Taft and accompany him on
his swing through the western states.
While too busy yesterday to devote
time to a thorough interview, Mr..
Hammond takes very optimistic view
of the present mining situation
throughout the country and believes
that the price of copper will soon take
material upward move. He is a ma
tive born Californian and is interested
in several large undertakings in the
state, among them the Mount Whitney
Water and Power company, which will
supply energy and power to the San
Joaquin valley, and the Stone Canyon
Coal company, now operating In Mon
terey county and supplying the mar
kets of Los Angeles and San Fran
cisco.
Prominent In Politics
While noted principally for his COM
manding position in the mining world,
Mr.. Hammond also has achieved prom
inence in other directions and was
widely mentioned for the vice presi-
dency previous to the last presidential
election. When the victory of Presi-
dent Taft became assured, he also was
prominently mentioned for a cabinet
position as. secretary of commerce and
labor and it is generally believed that
the honor could have been his for the
mere acceptance. His private inter-
ests are, however, so large that 1t Is
believed he was unable to spare the
time necessary for the work which
such a position entails.
In the difficulties which led up to
the Boer war Mr.. Hammond was one
of the leading figures on the side Of
the British and was closely identified
with Jameson in the historic ill-starred
raid. Upon the failure of the uprising
Mr. Hammond was thrown into jail
with the other leaders and only OBJ
tained his freedom after six months
Incarceration and the payment of a
fine of $25,000
Mr. Hammond first sprang into
prominence in the mining world in the
eighties, when he was placed in charge
mine in the Coeur d'Alene district,
Idaho, a property which he brought to
the dividend stage, which has since
paid over $11,000,000 in profits and in
which he still retains a considerable
interest. Ltaer he Joined the late Vic
tor Clement in operations at Minas
Nuevas, near Alamos, Sonora, Mexico,
and made a large sum from his opera
tions there.
After that he removed to South At
RIGA in charge of the development of
properties controlled by one of the
most prominent British syndicates and,
upon returning to this country was in
strumental in interesting. British cap
ital In the famous Camp Bird in Colo
rado Subsequent to that he accepted
the position of general manager for the
Guggenheims and only relinquished
the position two years ago to devote
his entire time to his private interests
Will Address Club Here
In an effort to provide a metropoli-
| tan home for the visiting mining men
in New York, Mr.. Hammond took a
leading part in founding the Rocky
now occupies palatial quarters in the
Waldorf-Astoria hotel and is supported
by mining men from the western
states. He has been president of the
institution since Its birth and has
worked ceaselessly for its success.
Mr.. Hammond is closely identified
with the mining life of Los Angeles as
charter member Of the Sierra Madre
club and strongly indorsed the project
from it's inception. He will be tho
guest of honor at an informal luncheon
to be rendered him at the club rooms
tomorrow afternoon at 1890 o'clock
and 1t is hoped that he will be pre-
vailed upon to make some remarks
upon the mining situation. A special
menu will be provided and all mem
bers who wish to participate in the
welcome are urged to file their appli-
cations for seats before IL o'clock to-
morrow morning.