Elk City mining news. (Elk City, Idaho) 1903-1913, 1912-04-25
SUBSCRIPTION RATES:
A Second Hand Shaft"


One of the greatest obstacles in the
way of successful mining is the almost
absolute ignorance of mining affairs
exhibited by men "higher up who
dominate when it comes to mine deve-
lopment and equipment.
The average farmer would make
Door banker; the average banker would
rot prove much of a success in cultivat-
~ 7; q the soil; the average miner would
soon wreck a mercantile business, and
tie public, generally, would not meet
VI tn much success in mining opera
tons. Every business occupation re-
q Tres a peculiar talent, certain
Knowledge and great. deal of exper-
ieace to sustain it on paving basis,
ard none more so than mining; FOR
ming, after ALL, is business PROPOSE
Ton, and must be conducted as such if
srceess is, to crown the efforts of those
'-ho pursue this fascinating industry
And yet, sad.to relate, more rank ig-
'orance is displayed by many who fol
" rlining as a business than is to be
fund in almost any other industrial
T. rsut, and the result Of this lack of
.
J. ,w.eslge, of experience, is clearly
s ;wn in the disastrous failures record
{. n,Ssslning affairs throughout this in
& 'a'o3,itain region.
We FAY in this fntermountain region
f. tbs reason that it is in this section
i.ac the masority of producing and pay
ing niles are to be found. But tie
Lame for these failures does not apply
to tie real mining men of the west. but
to { e ignorance and incompetency of
ca scrn investors who control certain
entarplises in this western country
f5s instance, the directorate of many
l.;A.ag companies ~ composed of east
sssn who have not The leflst ,rea
cs.g. piion Of mining affairs. The
.rient Of a company may be first
elsss eastern business man, hut he has
h. ~ery vague IDEA of how mine
snc~ be developed and equipped. His
6 2ss;atendcnt may be man of ex
c.tlf able ability and experience, on
had he bit his way, and ampl
fvrA al his command, would sool
re to the satisfaction of all the, rea
he Of tb@ property under his mar age
's'iit apl. direction Generally, Aaw
qveA hs.is handicapped by the eastern
= Ia cement, which bubbles at his re
csts. ignors his recommendations
id iails utterly at the critical pojn
" 2n intelligent and concerted aetioi
v;5ud sSol place the property of tn
Company uposs Z. producing and payinl
,asis and III because the presiden
and his board of directors know nothii,
at all asout mining and because che
airs ignorant of the requirements nee
ess.ry in the operation of a mimi
opposition. III
siAny eastern, men, Interested
aiding aft airs, have id cas- about mil
lrsg thas would be fanny but for tt
fact that their apr. licatior1 are SO di
1ac a. eous. to- their interests. Their il
tentions are goosd but their judgmel
- aulty, 20, instance, a story is 6
e ING the roV Ids Of the .press abeua
mlne sup erintendent who cabled II
s n'slish company tkat the shaft h;
'tared in, and that a new 'one won
dent Of the company cabled BAG
Cant you buy a nd-hand saft
Tssis is equal to the Kansas method
cxtting dry well in sections and Sc
in% them to settlers for posthole
us is an old gag, but it is assgood
ts2 ouying of 'second- hand shaft
and illustrates and corroboretes :
statement so often made regarding
ignorance of eastern capitalists re .ra
,s,,,, fror Ia ~