El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1910-01-15
DOMESTIC COPPER
CONSUMPTIONTO
INCREASE
More Active Mining and
Smelling Operations
Steel Orders Brisk.

New York, Jan. 15.-Some interesting
statistics Of the consumption of copper
in the United States have become avail
able and are of more significance in
regard to melting than the deliveries
into consumption shown by the Pro-
ducers' association, and also more val
liable than the apparent estimated con-
sumption during recent years by the
government. Upon this showing con-
sumption of copper in the United States
| last year aggregated about $4,000, 900
pounds; in 1908 it was $50, 200, GOO
pounds; in 1907. 500, 600 pounds and
in 1906. 768.OOO,OOO pounds.
Wire Drawers and Founders.
The consumption in 1906 was much
greater than indicated by deliveries,
showing that stocks were heavily re-
duced at that time. The largest con-
sumers Of copper the world over are
the wire drawers. In 1905 the wire
drawers of the United States used
about 21.250,0O0 pounds per month, and
! in 1909 the average monthly consump-
ton was about 1880 pounds. The
brass founders, the next largest melt
ers, are estimated to have consumed at
the average rate of 100000 pounds
per month in 1909, and 19,SOO,0O
pounds per month in 1906.
Producers and dealers have been hold
ing electrolytic firmly. and making
moderate sales at Is 7-Sc delivered 80
days and of lake at lac delivered 80
days, while resale lots have been sold
by spectators and dealers at conces-
sions. Standard copper at New York
has been dull and weaker, but at Lon
don there has been considerable ac
tivity. and under pressure to sell prices
have receded Us cd on spot and lbs Cd
on futures
Evidence of a larger domestic con-
sumption of copper has been the most
prominent and encourag ing feature dur
ing a very quiet week of new business
The heavy deliveries on domestic and
foreign account last month, which have
prepared the trade for favorable statis-
tics today. have been utilized by Ameri-
can and European spectators to dis
pose OF a portion of their large hold
ings Of standard through the London
market. and the result has been lower
prices in the face of favorable news.
This shifting Of speculative holdings
from strong to weaker hands is devel-
opment Of significance, and may result
in weakness eventually
Butte Production.
The resumption of smelling opera
Sions in Montana and more active mining
operations give assurance of continued
heavy output, and some of the newer
properties are likely to be developed TO
a considerable extent during the year.
In 1909 the Butte mining companies
produced 31O,439.65S pounds of "copper"
against 3s9.I7O.O0O in 1908. and 40,SSS,-
600 in 1907 Officers of the Amalga-
mated Copper company say that more
copper was produced by the Butte dis
trict in 1909 than in any other year
in its history and that more develop
ment work was done than in many pre-
vious years. The production was In ex-
cess of 100000 pounds of copper
and the Amaigmated Copper company
alone did more than Ia, 200 feet of de-
yelopnlent work in shaft sinking, drifts,
raises and crosscuts.
Steel and Iron.
Interest in steel products during the
first week OF January was largely con-
fined 10 the placing Of orders for struc-
fural and fabricated steel. but in the
central west some important contracts
for open hearth billets and sheet bars
were placed for shipment over the first
quarter Of the year The railroads have
placed few contracts for bridges or
equipment. but a larger tonnage OF
steel rails has been ordered. aggregat- !
ing about $4,000 tons.
Manufacturers of cast iron pipe have |
been the principal purchasers of pig /
iron since the first of the year, the pipe |