Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-09-13

shoveled out upon drying floors, where it
remains until the moisture has all disap-
peared. 1t Is now fitted for export and s
bagged up and taken on the cars down
to the seacoast.
In my talks with the nitrate experts Of
Chile have learned much as to the pres
ent extent of the fields and their future.
The Antofagasta manager of the Nitrate
Agencies, Limited, estimates that there is
enough salt in ght to run the world for
eighty years more at the present rate of
consumption, and there are others who
say that the nitrate fields will last for
more than century. There are three
provinces whose denos!ts are estimated at
more than 5Oo.000. 600 0o0 pounds. Others
of the est mates are lower, some claiming
that there are now left only about 200
0H0,C00.Oc0 pounds. These estimates do
not take into account the new fields which
are sure to be found nor the possibilities
of working over the dumps about the Of
ficinas. which still contain a large per-
centage Of nitrates.
Indeed, one of the great opportunities
for the inventors OF the future lies right
here in these ard deserts of Chile. The
caliche as it is brought from the mines
seldom averages more than 20 per cent OF
nitrate of soda and by the present meth
DDS of reduction fully per cent is left
in the refuse That means that 40 per
cent of the nitrate contents are still IN
these great dumps surround ng the ON
cinas. and that II this can be saved It VIII
nitrate SO far taken out Of the earth.
Such a product would be worth hundreds
of millions Of dollars. These fields have
been m ned since 1880. and In 1886, at the
time of the Peruvian war, they were al
ready taking out millions Of pounds every
year In 1890 the output was more than
1000, 600 tons, and In 1911 the exports
were more than 25OO.OO0 tons, and the
value Of the output was something like
100000 900. This work has been going on
steadily at the present rate for more than
a general on. and in less decree Tor
generation and more before that. All TINS
time only 90 per cent Of the product has
been saved. The other 40 per cent still
lies in the dumps. and in this rafnless
country there it will cont nue. to lie until
the "0pen sesame" OF some inventors
and thus enriches himself and the world.
And still the most careful study is
taken to get out the nitrate at the lowest
possible cost. and to save every cent IN
product and labor Said one OF the great
ofhcina managers to me:
"Our profits are a question OF small
savings The difference of a cent in the
cost Of the reduction of each 100 pounds
would mean a profit of at least $l,2pO a
month We have to watch everything,
and especially the matter Of labor. Our
workmen have to come from the outside,
and their wages are very high for this
part of the world. The present average
is about 81 per day. although boys are
about 10000 hands employed In the re-
duction Of nitrate and some OF the larger
works have from 800 to LOCO apiece. We
have to provide houses for themen, and
also heat. light and water. although the
cost of these are deducted from their
wages"
Il
The water for the nitrate works comes
in pipes for a long distance over the
desert and all kinds Of food must be
imported Every company has its own
store, and it pays its wages in blanks in
stead of In money. Each blank Is the
size of a poker chip. 1t has its value
marked on 1t and 1t can be used at the
company stores. 1t represents SO much
money. and the workmen can cash it at
any time. The stores are run at a profit
and the prices are high. Flour brings
more than 81 a hundred. eggs 10 cents
apiece. all cuts of meat 80 cents pound
and beans about Sc a busheL Coal oil
costs about 20 cents gallon and coal
over 1 cent pound The coal is used only
for cooking. The most of 1t comes from
southern Chile, although some Is shipped
in from England and Australia The
larger omcinas have schools for their
men and there are hospitals and physi-
clans accessible.
The nitrate business supports . number
Of towns along the coast. 1t Is the back