Mohave County miner., 1913-04-05
Arizona Sparkles With
 Prosperity.

Tn AflIOna when, DeSlQeS lew mln- ing prospects and the energy required for lodging the hostile Apache h. dians, the principal industry of the pioneer was filling contracts at the military posts dotted thick over the then new territory, there was prob, ably more money per capita in circua- tion than now and it circulated more freely. But, it may now be asserted truthfully that Arizona during its entire history never enjoyed more fixed and permanent prosperity than at the present time. This prosperity is not confined to any section of the state or to any one industry, but is ap- parent in every line of endeavor Those engaged in mining, in the stock industry, in agricultural pursuits and development are alike enjoying abun- dant returns on their investments and in return for their energy and indus try. The banks of the state are hold, ing large cash reserves for the use of those who represent the needs of legitimate business enterprises and the days of the "Dutchman's one per cent.' have past into history.
 Unusual demand and unheard of prices for cattle during the past year has depleted the herds on our ran yes, but the fact remains that the stock remaining on our mountains, mesas and valleys represent more wealth than at any time Tn the past.
 During the past year hundreds of thousands of acres of land have been taken as homesteads while vast tracts have been located with script by our cattlemen in various parts of the state. Great progress has been made in suc- cessful soil cultivation by means of pump irrigation while in the higher attitudes many good crops have been produced by dry farming methods. In the Sulphur Springs valley where hun have been taken many prosperous homes have already been established; in the San Simon valley and in the Santa Cruz valley about Tucson efforts put forth in reclaiming the desert have been successful in many instances. In northern Arizona the amount of land put in cultivation during the past t"o years has far exceeded any other like period in our territorial and state history.
 But, in the mining industry of Ari- zona we find the greatest recent ex. pansion and prosperity and this sats- factory condition is confined to no one district or section of the state, but is in evidence all the way from Jerome to Bisbee and from Kingman to Cliff ton. The good price maintained for copper during the past year has caused unusual activity by those engaged in the production of the red metal and all the producers have been engaged in providing new plants and adding to old ones, indicating purpose to in- crease their output and reduce the cost of production. A few years ago the average cost of copper production in Arizona was about l2 cents per pound; this average has now been low cred to below nine cents with the minimum maintained by several of the large producers at about seven cents, so even the low price of copper eigh- teen months ago was not alarming and the present price of l5 cents is highly gratifying.
 The copper mining companies in Arizona now have underway construc- tion work which when completed will cost fifteen million dollars and provide not only largely increased facilities but greater economy in the operation of mines and reduction plants. At Jerome the United Verde is building an entirely new smelting plant at a cost of 3, 3,500,000$; in the Globe district the Inspiration Consolidated company is building a mammoth concentrator which with the money expended in installation of mining facilities, de- velopment of water, etc., will cost 1000, ,OO0$; at Clifton the Arizona Cop per company is spending 2,5OO, ,OOOs for new smelling plant which is due for rOm platiOn 6urlnU the co,pipr C,,p,