Gilpin observer., 1912-03-21
TRUST THE
ONLY BENEFICIARY.

The Observer has made careful in
quiry into the costs Of mining and
smelling of zinc ores in the zinc
producing states; also the adjoining
countries of Canada and Old Mexico,
with the view of ascertaining wheth-
er the existing tariff on lead and
zinc ores or concentrates benefits
anyone but the smelter trust.
In the Joplin district, Missouri, the
mine and milling costs on zinc ore
is approximately $500 per ton. In
Old Mexico on account of inefficient
labor, which is paid $1.60 per day,
gold, the mine and milling costs run
as high as 1915 per ton. One Am
erican miner will accomplish as much
work in s hours as two Mexican
miners working 10 hours. In the
Occur d'Alene district in Idaho, and
in the same mineral belt across the
border into Canada, the same stand
ard wages are paid to miners in both
districts, SO that the cost of produc-
ton is practically the same.
Believing that any tariff should be
based upon labor conditions; that is
If the importation of crude ores free
Of duty works no hardship on the
American wage Garner, then such pro-
ducts should be admitted free of
duty.
This inquiry developed the fact as
set forth in the columns of the OBJ
server that the trust interests that
control the bulk of the smelters are
the only ones benefited by the pres
ent tariff.
The facts are that the few indepen-
dent zinc and lead smelter companies
who depend on buying their ore in
the open market, are in favor of free
lead and zinc ores for the reason that
it will make a broader market that
insure a steady supply of ore that
will keep their smelters running to
normal capacity.
This too will foster competition
producer better run for his money
The large lead and zinc smelling
companies, such as the Guggenheims,
the New Jersey Lead & Zinc Co.,
the American Lead & Zinc Co.. and
other smelling companies in the
states who own and control lead and
zinc properties are bitterly opposed
to admitting lead and zinc from any
country into the states free. BY keep
ing out lead and zinc ores or con-
centrates. owning and operating
mines to supply their smelters, they
practically control the lead and zinc
business in the states. therefore they
are opposed to admitting lead and
zinc. ores or concentrates free.
The Guggenheims are now planning
to increase their smelter capacity
in Old Mexico, and II they are able
to keep lead and zinc ore or concen-
trates from coming into the United
States free of duty and control the
lead and zinc industry of the United
States and build smelters in Mexico
to control the lead and zinc business
in Mexico. they are building up a
monopoly that will be far harder to
, cope with than the steel trust or the
Standard Oil company. 1t also builds
up industries in a foreign country
which would come to the United
| States If the duty was taken off of
lead and zinc ore or concentrates, so
that the product could be shipped to
the states and manufactured here. In
stead of it's being n detriment to the
laboring class in the United States
1t would be benefit to them, as it
will not reduce the wages, but will
increase the smelling business in the
states, which will make more work
for the laboring man ard will build
up industries in our own country and
not in foreign country.
All these facts show that the
smelter trust is willing to sacrifice
at all times the best interests of
the American people that few more
filthy dollars may be added to their
| ill-gotten wealth.