White Pine news weekly mining review. [volume] (East Ely, Nev.) 1910-1920, 1912-03-31
MEANSbEG|NN|NG
Of POTAS /
INDUSTRY
DESERT LAKE THEORY PROVEN
PRESIDENT OF RAILROAD VAIL
LEY SALINE COMPANY LEAVES
FOR CALIFORNIA TO INSPECT
NEW FIND.

NEW FIND.
The discovery of potash in the old
bed of Searles lake, north of the Mo-
have district in southern California.
is of importance to the residents of
the Ely district, not only because it
portends the beginning of the potash
industry in this country but also be-
cause it verifies the theory of the
United States geological survey that
the old desert lake beds in Railroad
valley and other western states would
without a doubt yield potash salt.
The great value of the find is in
the fact that the potash is now In
commercial form and ready for mar
ket. 1t also means that in all proba-
bility the consumers in this country
can be supplied from a domestic
source without depending upon the
German potash trust.
The discovery in the Searles lake
demonstrates that the government
was correct in its theories, and gives
greater assurances that results will
be obtained at Railroad valley, where
surface showings indicate the posi-
bilities for a big production as soon
as depth is attained.
Victor Barndt, president of the
Railroad Valley Saline company, left
Tonopah Wednesday morning for the
Searles marshes in San Bernardino
county. Califarnia. to inspect the re-
cent finds, because he is anxious to
demonstrate that the desert lake
theory he has employed in prospect
ing for potash in Railroad valley, is
correct one.
Before leaving Tonopah, Mr..
Barndt declared that recent explora-
tions in Railroad valley has disclosed
from three to 20 per cent potash
salts. He said that the churn drill
had attained a depth of 130 feet.
after penetrating Al feet of quick
sand before striking the typical lake
clay. The drilling is under the sup
ervision of Superintendent d. H.
Walker. who returned to the COM
after spending several days in Ely
purchasing supplies. The principal
object of the trip was to arrange for
better mail facilities as 1t requires
eight days for letter to reach Rail-
road valley from this city, in spite of
the fact that the distance of 80 miles
between the two places can be cover
ed by an automobile in four hours
Upon returning from California,
Mr.. Barndt will continue on to Rail-
road valley in company with Hoyt S.
Gale, geologist in charge of the work
in the west, James H. Hance, who
has general supervision of the ex-
plorations at Fallon, and E. f. Free
of the bureau of soils.
They recently took six samples
from the California fields to the Mac
kay school of mines at Reno. where
the value of the potash deposit was
revealed.
The government experts paid a
visit to Railroad valley about six
weeks ago, and declared that 1t Offer
ed more favorable opportunities for
the finding of potash than any other
section of the state.
The government bureau for some
time had sought throughout the
country for potash feeling certain
that a supply would be found. At
present the United States and other
nations are almost entirely depen-
dent on Germany for potash. Dis
agreement with the German potash
trust became the subject OF diploma
tic exchanges which occupied several
years and at one time threatened
serious complications.