Gilpin observer., 1910-11-10
TRYING TO EXPLAIN.

1t is pleasing to know that there
Is always good representation of
mining men whenever a meeting is
held. The one in Denver last week
drew out an unusually large attend.
ance. These people must expect some.
thlng from the repeated gatherings.
There has been SO many of late and
all draw crowds. They are not all
experts" and professionals; the ma
J1rity represent companies and not
few are mine owners direct.
One gentleman, who claims to
know, stated that government statis-
tics show mining has fallen off not
less than twenty-five per cent in the
last three years. This includes min.
eral and coal. But if any explanation
were made fer the reason of this 1t
was not brought out. But it was for.
cibly asserted that the smelling in
dustry had nothing to do with the
railing off IN mining. In fact the
smelling business would be only too
glad to welcome a great deal more
ore than is mined Possibly were the
smelling industry to make overtures
OF some sort to the miner a great
deal more ore would be output than
the smelters could handle. There are
millions on millions of tons of ore
in the mining camps of the state
with values of five dollars up. The
smelters must know of this. Why do
they not go after it? Many miners
would be glad to accept a small per-
centage of the value of it's contents
were it not to cost them for ship
ment or treatment
The trouble would seem to be that
while the smelter may be a success
it cannot treat ore cheaply by the
process, therefore, the product Of the
mine must run high or there will be
no profit. 1t is admitted that to get
an ounce of gold or less out of a
ton OF dirt is the quintescense of
science. Admiration at the possibility
OF doing 1t is one of the attractions
of the profession.
But the question of why the min
ing industry has fallen to the extent
of twenty-five per cent ought to be
reasoned out or some solution given
that will satisfy those who care to
know. There is always a demand for
gold and at a price that makes 1t
attractive to mine fer it. 1t is pos
sible that great deal CT gold would
he mined wara thara mora cold IN
the ore or more mines in existence
that could put out the yellow metal.
The mining man will assert there are
mines enough but there is a lack Of
capital to work them. This is getting
down to the bare bones of the argu-
ment Admitting the number of mines
then, and the smelters claiming they
will handle all the ore furnished pro-
vided it will pay, the problem of why
mining has fallen of twenty-five per
They are no. as eager as formerly.
But why? Possibly the stock craze
had much to do with the present
apathy. The companies failed to make,
returns, hence the stockholder would
not consider it wise to continue in
vesttng after experience had shown
that the returns were nothing In
comparison to what was expected.
The industry must fall back on in
dividual endeavor. No doubt those in
terested would rather that such might
always be the condition. Few care to
share in a good thing even among
friends. That is not a very hopeful
view of humanity, but many recog.
nize its truth. So to keep the mining
industry from falling farther behind,
the mine owner will be compelled to
'go it alone" Should success follow.
there will be an awakening or revival
for the man who makes good" In
any undertaking ere long has many
followers.