Elk City mining news. (Elk City, Idaho) 1903-1913, 1913-02-27
SEMI-ANNUAL REVIEW OF WASH
INGTON, IDAHO AND OREGON
STATES, AND ALASKA.
Tells OF FARMS, FORESTS AND MINES
and Idaho in Barley-Mining Pro-
duction Nearly Doubles-RaiI-
roads Increase Mileage.

The semi-annual trade Review pub
lished by r. G. Dun & Co., just issued,
for the Pacific northwest, shows that
the year 1912 was marked by advances
in production in all lines, compared
with 1911.
Harvest conditions were generally
favorable" says the Review comment
ing upon the business conditions in
Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Alaska.
IAN immense crop was secured with
out appreciate loss. Owing to heavy
crops elsewhere, serious difficulty has
been encountered in obtaining a mar
ket for all the products at remuner-
alive prices. Late fruits and forage
crops have suffered especially in this
regard. In some districts farmers have
delayed selling with consequent de-
preston of local business activity.
The revival of the lumber business and
a successful season in fisheries, COM
bined with the excellent harvest to
create year of generally diffused
prosperity"
In the production of wheat, Wash
ington led the other states and raised
a million bushels more of the grain
than in the previous year. The figures
for 1912 were: Washington, 40,000,000;
Oregon, 22,030,000; Idaho, 100000,
and for 1911 the figures were: Wash
ington, 100000; Oregon, 16,000,000;
Idaho, 100000.
Idaho was first in the production of
barley with 100000 bushels last year,
against 100000 in 1911.
Out of a total production of 41,,8S2,-
900 bushels of oats in the same terri
produced 100000, against 100000
in 1911. Oregon was second with 49,
100000 bushels last year.
Heavy Fruit Crop.
Of the fruit crop the report says:
Fruit crop for 1912 throughout the
northwest was the heaviest in it's his
tory. Prunes and pears were general
ly a short crop, but of good quality.
All other fruits, both large and small,
were plentiful in qunatity and of ex-
cellent quality
In 1912 the value of the fruit pro-
duced in Washington was nearly dou-
BILE that of 1911, the figures for last
year being $1O,660,OOO against $685.
900 for the previous year. Oregon pro-
duced s5,576,0O0 worth of fruit in 1911
and $6,584,O0 in 1912, while Idaho in
creased its production from $2,578,000
to $4,735,OO0.
The report says of the lumber in
dustry:
"For several years prior to the
spring of 1912 conditions were alto
gether unsatisfactory, both as to de-
mand and prices, 1911 having been the
poorest year since 1908. Improvement
began early in 1912, when an increase
in demand was noted, which grew
steadily during the spring and summer
months.
Important factors, which have i'm
proved the demand, have been the
heavy purchases of lumber for fruit
boxes and renewed buying from the
prairie states, coupled with reopening
of the export market and the Coast
wise trade to California.
Rail shipments from Washington
are reported aggregating 100000 car
loads, while water shipments are
placed at 1,000,000,000 feet.
Cargo shipments for Oregon amount
to 437 100000 feet.
"The allied interests of logging and
sash and door manufacturing partici-
pated in the revival.
Railroad construction in the north
west continues a large source of ex-
penditures. In 1910, 2190.1 miles of
new track were constructed; in 1911
10S.0S miles,. and in 1912, 1878 miles,
besides seven miles reconstructed.
Undertakings actually in hand in the
three states call for an expenditure of
$22, 100000 and the construction of 1888
miles of new track. In addition there
are projects under consideration on
which figures are not fully prepared,
which will bring the aggregate con-
struction for 1913 up to 220 miles of
new and reconstructed track, and ap-
proximately cost $27,000,000.
"The principal mining districts are
the Occur d'Alenes, the Republic camp
in Ferry county, Wash, the Chewelah
camp in Stevens county, Wash, and
Baker and Josephine counties in Ore
gon. Prior to 1912 the industry was
dormant, due largely to the unsatis-
factory price of lead, silver and cop
per. With the opening of the year
prices advanced materially and many
new companies have entered the field
as producers and old ventures have
taken on new life.
: During the year just closed, mines