The Grangeville globe. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho) 1907-1922, 1913-07-17

of Improvements, inadequate metal
lurgical plants. useless mine workings
railroads and grades,
poorly constructed fumes and bridges.
bunkhouses, clearinghouse
and the like. Instances are known
of expected return from dams that
have failed, bullion which has been
stolen, slopes that have caved, and
development funds which were used
to buy wine and automobiles. The
engineer cannot protest because these
encumbrances have been placed on
the property 1t is the owners re-
ward for not having secured proper +
advice at the beginning Of his opera
tons, and constitute his sole recon-
pense. 1t is, therefore, surprising |
that an owner expects to get returns
for indiscreetly spent funds.
In the average run of mining prop |
critics, which are for sale at the
present time, the amount of ore re-
serves varies inversely with the
amount of money expended on the
surface. This simply shows that
money has been used for decorating
the landscape with equipment before
proper development work was com
pleted. This carries with it a long
train of consequences, such as: a
h. OH ~ hA
developed after completion of mill,
and a lack Of ore reserves, with its
sequence of poor mining in a heroic
attempt to keep things going at any
price
The argument cannot be too strong
ly presented that the individual or
association which is in mining as
business will give no value to that
which he cannot use, either under
ground or on the surface. He is
probably figuring on tearing down
your mill and erecting larger one,
after developing more ore, and your
mill is probably an actual detriment,
as it probably occupies the site he
wants to use. Working tunnels and
shafts, or any other workings in the
mine, which are of actual benefit to
the mine and which would have to be
carried through in any case, are not
included in the above. Neither La a
useful tramway or road or bridge
| NV. M ON
be of benefit. 1t must be added, at
this point, that associations or indi-
viduals who do not regard mining as
a business are getting scarcer every
minute. If fond hopes are held that
live ones will appear on the scene
who will take a chance it is to be
noted that most of those who have
taken a chance have been so badly
disappointed that they have quit
themselves and have told all their
friends, and have thus spoiled the
market for the mine. This latter
statement is more general and far
reaching than is commonly believed
! and is a cause of growing satisfac
ton among mining men, as it tends
to place the industry on the high
plane where 1t belongs.
1t is only fair to state, however
that the legitimate mining man is al
: ways willing to take reasonable
5 chance. He does not want to gam
n BILE, as properly conducted mining II
4 not a gamble; and he does not re
gard 1t as such. He reasons that b.
+ Is taking no more of a chance II
s spending his money to open UP ore
e than there Is in buying piece O
D real estate In the expectation tina
l. a young town will become a city, O
that city will grow to a metropolis
Give him a chance. Mr.. Owner.
your property Is prospect, do NO
insist ON o heavy first payment, o
on any payment at all, unless yo
: have to have the cash to pay OF
!, debts. Consider that, II your min
! Is what you claim 1t Is. the none
N which your prospective purchaser wt
- expend In development will make
;. possible for him to pay you its wortf
4. II your property has ore reserves
~ consider carefully just what thes
:. ore reserves are worth In net profit
:. and what it will cost in moder
!, equipment to make these profits po
n, sible. Your prospective purchase
:, will in most cases be willing to CIV
o. you his own figures AZ to profit pt
- ton and cost of equipment. Try ar
IN believe that he Ia sincere, and tn
,o he at least Thanks he Is right, ar
,, that he will quickly alter his view
~ or figures II you can show that he
"a not right. You will find 1t easier
no. do this II You will consider the !