The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1913-01-05

that for the preceding year. The busi-
ness for the week kept up well, the
falling away as compared with the holi-
day trade not being nearly so notice
able as in the preceding year. 1t is
expected that the month IS trade will
show a new record for January.
Collections are in healthy condition,
and are coming in decidedly more sat
isfactorily than for the preceding years
holiday trade Reductions and many
holiday surplus offers gave stimulus TO
the market during the week. All sta.
pie winter lines are selling well.
During tho week the Oregon Short
Line has taken over the Idaho Northern
railroad The construction of the Ore
gon Eastern has been turned over to
the o. r. & n, company for completion.
The Transportation Club has started
a membership campaign.
Several excursions are announced for
rabbit hunts. and excursions are an
nounced to New Orleans by the o. s. L,
and also the Rock Island lines, and
winter excursions TO the Coast promise
to be large.
Mine operators have been busy reas-
sembling their employees following the
holiday season, q number of companies
for week round Christmas losing much
time, as usually Is expected at this per
iod. 1t is certain that mining In Utah
faces the most promising year Of its
existence; production has overy promise
Of being the largest 50 far reached,
while earnings and dividend payments
viii undoubtedly be tho best ever er.
perienced.
The copper situation during the past
week has been cleared up materially by
an increased number OF sales OF the
metal for domestic consumption as well
az for export, and for delivery through
out February and March. These sales,
according to the best obtainable au-
thority, ranged between 175s and 17%
cents per pound for electrolytic copper.
There appears to be small chance Of any
material increase in production for the
next two or three months, owing to the
winter weather conditions in Utah and
neighboring copper.producing States. so
everything promises to halp maintain
the existing satisfactory market price
of the metal.
This is tho period of tho year when
the United States Geological Survey Is
sues its usual estimates Of mineral pro-
duction, and Utah is found TO occupy
It's proud position again as a copper,
gold, silver and lead State. The output
of coal is especially mentioned, as it
shows good increase over the previous
season. Utah coal mines were never in
better condition from coal tonnage
and railroad transportation standpoint
to make record production than they
are now, and it is encouraging to learn
that the shipments OF Utah coal to the
Coast and to the Northwest have in
creased materially.
In the various districts Of the State,
mine operators are giving moro attcn-
tion than ever TO the installation of
electrical equipment TO replace steam
power, and 1913 unquestionably will
witness a very generous expenditure
for this purpose, of which the Utah i'm
plemeut industry and the mechanic will
receive substantial share.
Metals remain unchanged. The stock
markets are very dull, and on all bulgcs
the better sentiment seems to favor
pro6t-tahng,
The commercial agencies report that
the new year opens with all the gains
last half Of 1912, taking over from the
old the increased agricultural wealth
resulting from the big crops, the great
activity in the largest industries, the