The copper era and Morenci leader. [volume] (Clifton, Ariz.) 1911-1929, 1914-05-08
ARIZONA PRODUCING
MINES ARE WORTH
S2,000.000 LESS

.6OO
Phoenix, Arizona, May 5-Arizona's
producing mines are worth 100000
less than last year for purposes of
taxation. The law provides that the
valuation of a producing mine, for
purposes of taxation is four times the
net production for the preceding year,
plus IL IL per cent of the gross and
the physical value of improvements.
1t was on the question of what con-
stituted proper operating charges that
the commissioners and nearly all the
mine owners disagreed. The question
was an important one because operat-
| ing charges are deducted from the
gross in arriving at the net. Other
disagreements arose over the value of
improvements. The commission laid
down the rule that improvements are
worth what they cost. This is mani
festly unfair, the mine owners COM
plain, for often plant will cost more
money in one location than another
though it will do no more work. For
instance, one company may build
100 ton concentrator on a natural, lev
| ell site, where no excavation is nee
cessary. His next door neighbor may
have no such favorable site, may be
put to great expense for engineering
enters into construction costs but is
ignored by the commission.
The commission disallowed large
amounts expended in exploration and
development, in the construction of
reduction works and in repairs. Sew
eral companies underwent unusually
heavy overhauling expenses last year.
A little more copper was produced in
1913 than in 1912. but the average
price was a trifie lower.
The Copper Queen company will
pay the heaviest tax, the valuation Of
it's property being placed at $26, 6,149,-
80. The Superior Pittsburg, also of
Cochise stands second with $15,011,
34S. .32; United Verde, Yavapai, third,
with $14,620,678; Ray Consolidated,
Pinal, fourth, with 81 1892, ,694. .34.e Val
uations of other leading producers
are:
Cochise, Calumet & Arizona, $3,3S1,-
141. 81; Shattuck-Arizona, $4,757,311. 81.
| Gila-Miami, $S,537, ,OO5.95; Old Do
minion, s4,O62.O10 SO; United Globe
$2,23O, ,21615.
Greenlee- Arizona. sS,1O2.25; De
troit, $5,563 ,749.74; Shannon, $780,
529. 20.
Mohave-Tom Reed, s3,296.753 81.
Among the mines that produced, but
not enough to pay expenses, are the
Bonanza Belt, Leonard and Great
Western, in Cochise; Coronado in
Greenlee; Frisco, Golconda and Grand
Gu1ch, Mohave; Yavapai Consolidated
and Swastika, Yavapai.
Chairman c. M. Zander of the COM
mission gave out the following inter-
view relative to the condition of the
mining industry in Arizona:
Throughout the state the mining
industry is in a f1ourishing condition.
Mining men are confident of the fu-
ture. Nearly every company has added
improved methods of mining during
the year, and everywhere better meth
DDS of reduction are being adopted.
''The new smelter of the United
Verde, at Clarkdale, will be blown in
during the year. By the end of the
year the great concentrating plant of
the Inspiration will be nearly COM
pleted. Work is being rushed on new
smelter for the Inspiration at Miami
Last year the Arizona Copper COM
pany completed its s2,OOO,OOO smelter
and it is now overhauling it's concen-
trating and teaching plants. The De-
troit Copper company is modernizing
it's smelter. Recently the Ell Paso e
Southwestern took over the Morenci
Southern railroad, which it is now
practically rebuilding.
"At Bisbee the Copper Queen peo-
pie have just completed large pre-
cipitation plant. A sample concentra-
tor is being installed, preliminary to
the erection of a big plant to take care
of the low grade ores recently devel-
oped.
"It is unfortunate that the compan-
les are put to so much expense in per-
sonal injury suits. All the companies
claim to be willing to pay just claims
but declare that unjust claims are be-
ing pressed under the provisions of
the new state law. AS a result the
court dockets are clogged with an end
less number of petty cases. The COM
panies have suggested that personal
injury matters be handled by a COM
of three, one member to be
appointed by the mine owners, one by |
the state and the third by organized
labor. This is working we'll in Wash |
ington and is eliminating a great deal |
of expense.