Imperial Valley press., 1913-10-01

floor of the hall This is to be filled
with smoke and noxious gases In it
a group Of men will demonstrate the
llfe-saving value of the oxygen he'll
met. Men taken out of this atmos-
phere will be resuscitated by means
Of the pulmotor now in such general
Use in mines throughout the country.
Mining is second among the great
industries of the country. Yet few
persons are in any way familiar with
it. The products of this industry in
the United States amounts to over
$4,000, 100000 annuolly. The products
Of agriculture are counted as $9,O00,-
900 900, although part of these are
really counted twice, grain being
counted at its own valuation and the
stock which it feeds being counted
also
The products of mining make pos
sible the development of almost every
other industry. Mining supplies the
coal which furnishes industrial power,
the iron which makes machinery, the
copper which transmits electricity,
and the gold which measures our
standards of value. Coal mining pro-
duces the greatest bulk. The coal
mined annually in the United States
would fill train of cars long enough
to encircle the globe without leaving
room for single engine. It's weight
amounts to more than 100000 tons
annually. There is a possibility of
increasing this amount to 100000 900
tons if desired. The advantage of such
ar increase is questionable in consid-
Grafton of the desirability of conserv-
ing so important natural resource.
Modern mining methods help conserv-
atism by processes which eliminate all
waste and they are being improved
each year.
The American Mining Congress in
c'udes in its membership men engaged
IN all kinds of mining operations. The
&C Nention will be largely devoted to
the discussion of subjects pertaining
to their work. One of the matters
which all mine operators regard as
essential for the development of min
ing efficiency is larger number of
we'll trained and educated men. The
ned of additional mining schools un-
der state control, similar in scope to
the agricultural colleges now existing
in every state, is becoming generally
admitted. 1t is only by such means
that young men can acquire the tech
nca' mining training Tor WORT which
IS becoming more highly specialized
each year. Federal aid in establish
ing such schools is now being advo-
Gated by all those interested in min
ing progress.
Next to ctal, gold is the mining
product having greatest effect upon
the general progress Of the world.
The annual god production of the
world amounts to about half a billion
dollars. The United States produces
fifth of this. 1t is believed that the
| gold resource of this ccnntrv will he
sufficient for it's future needs if they
are properly mined, but much of the
ore now found is of such low grade
that it requires the highest degree of
efficiency to mine it proitably. The
hl%h grade ore of the west is world
renowned, but it is growing scarce.
| l he greatest wealth of this country is
nov in its lower grade ores. The DIFF
ference of 20 cents a ton in the cost
Of mining these may cause the differ
ence between the success or failure
of mine. The present need is for
efficient mining men who are able to
economically operate. the low grade
ore.
No business requires larger invest
rents OF capital, patience and scien-
tic skill than mining. Mining invest
nlents are based upon about the same
degree of risk as life insurance. The
effort to make single mine pay is a
venture. By assuming a number of
risks an average is reached which
makes a profitable investment posi-.
bic. The change of mining methods
has called for larger capital The pa
tient, old-fashioned gold miner who
held down a claim while he toilsomely
worked with his washing pan, trying
to pick gold from the sand and gravel
he had loosened, required little capi-
tai outside of his grub stake" He
has given place to the young mining
expert who decides by chemical analy
sis when sample of ore contains
enough of the precious metal to make
mine worth operating. Having de-
cided upon this, he applies the science
at his command to the development of
an economical process of securing the
gold. lie has large assortment of
1