The copper era., 1909-09-23
Amster Returns from Visit Abroad.

AmSter Returns from Visit Abroad.
 N. L. Amster has returned to his
 home iu Boston, after an absence oi three months touring Europe, and in an interview with the Boston New: Bureau had the following to say: "While my trip abroad was primar- fly for pleasure, I naturally took some time to look into business af fairs abroad, especially relating to the copper business. There is no deny ing that copper consumption has not been good in Europe for the past few months, due largely to reflection of the depression in America, but there is now evidence of considerable inn provement, especially in France and Germany.
 [ "France is planning to electrify some of it's steam roads and contracts are now in preparation relating thereto which will involve the pur- chase of a great many million pounds of copper.
 "Germany is again making tre- mendous strides in the commercial world, and from now on the con- sumption of copper in that country will increase rapidly. The same may be said of the entire European conti- nent, including Great Britain.
 "As to our own country, it is known fact that we are using more copper than ever before, and if it was not for the accumulated stocks, the result of our depression, which stocks, however, are not large, we should today be having a l5 to 16 cent copper market.
 "Although there has been a most excellent improvement in the metal situation the price of copper has ad vanced very little and it is now prac- tically the only commodity that is still selling at a panic price. Of course, this situation cannot continue with iron and steel improving so rap idly in consumption and price. It is certainly good time to buy copper shares with the metal selling around 13 cents. I mean by this, that the metal can only go one way, and that is up, and copper stock naturally must reflect this situation.
 Notwithstanding that I have di- vorced myself from business during my vacation, I naturally kept in close touch with the progress of the properties in which am particularly interested. I am pleased to note the great progress made at the Arizona Commercial, Boston & Corbin and Shannon properties.
 "It is gratifying to me to note that the Shannon company is stead fly improving its grade of ore and reducing it's costs. During the past months the ore averaged six pounds of copper more to the ton than nor nal and our underground work there deeper than we at one time antici- pated. With the railroad completed the early part of next year, the Shannon company will be in a most excellent condition to produce cop per at a profit, even with the present low price.
 ''It may surprise a great many people to know that even though we received under 13 cents for cop per, the company has been showing good profits on the right side of the ledger. The Shannon company can now be considered a producer of 1S,- 100000 of copper per year, and it should do much better than this next year. One cent per pound increase in the price of the metal means s2OO,OOO per year increased profits to the Shannon company, while one-cent reduction in the cost of production will mean like amount of increased profits to the company, and we are certain to have both be- fore many months"