Gilpin observer., 1914-01-29
WHAT MINING
IS TO COLORADO

about Colorado:
Colorado is the land of opportuni-
ty. There is more undeveloped
wealth in Colorado than in any equal
area in the world.
Colorado was, is and must ever
be mining site. All Gather indust-
ries are dependent upon mining in
this state.
"Colorado's agriculture depends up
on mining for its best market. The
wise farmer will encourage mining de-
velopment.
'"The mines of Colorado supplied
iginating in this state on the D. &
r.. G., c. & s., Midland and d. &
S. L. railroads in 1912, leaving only
IA 1-2 per cent to be supplied in 1912
by agriculture. manufacturing and all
other. industries not associated with
mining. And don't forget we had in
1912 the greatest agricultural crop in
the history of the state. Is it not
evident that the railroads of Colora-
do depend principally upon the
mines? (See reports of railroads to
state railroad commission.)
There are 25,16S railroad employees
in Colorado. At least SO IL per cent
or 21,51s, depend ppon mining for
their jobs. These railroad men rep
resent a payroll of $21 100000 annu-
ally, which comes from the profits of
hauling mining tonnage.
The railroads of Colorado pay one
seventh the taxes collected by the
state, but since the mines maintain
the railroads, this tax is paid indir-
ectly by the mining industry. Be
sides this, the mining counties pay
directly one-haf of all the taxes col
lected by the state from the coun-
ties outside Denver. 1t is evident,
therefore, that the mining industry
pays more than one-half of the taxes
collected by the state of Colorado
outside of Denver.
"The mining industry receives only
one dollar from the state legislature
and the federal government for ev-
cry five dollars spent in behalf of
and to encourage the agricultural in
dustry.
Eighty thousand people in Denver
depend upon mining for their liveli-
hood. Twelve thousand people are
employed in Denver in the following:
American Smelling & Refining COM
pany offices and smelter; coal COM
panies' offices, yards and stables;
mine and machinery supply houses;
ing engineers, metallurgists; brick,
tile and some stone plants and rail-
roads. These represent a population
of at least 10000. Put $4,000 employ
ed people on desert and they will
create demand for 1000 merchants,
doctors, dentists, lawyers, real estate
brokers, mechanics, laborers, etc. and
their families, or 10000 people. In
short, there will be a city Sof $4,000.
Every railroad scenic route in Col
orado was built to reach the mines.
These routes are maintained by the
tonnage of the mining camps. What
would become of Colorado's tourist
business but for the mines?
There are scores of the most
beautiful places in Colorado which
are not seen by the tourist because
not reached by the railroads. The
railroads will not go there until mines
have been discovered. II we wish
to enlarge the tourist business and
make Colorado the Switzerland of Am
erica. the playground of America we
should encourage mining develop
ment.
Colorado employees $4,000 miners
who, with their families, represent
population OF 100000. The miners
give employment to 21,50O railroad
men (S5 1-2 per cent of the whole)
who. with their families. represent
a total of 307 500 directly dependent
upon mining. Add the merchants
professional men. mechanics and 9th
ers dependent upon mining. there be
ing at least $4,000. and their famil
les representing $4,000 people. OF
a grand total Of 3S2.500 people ir
Colorado depending upon the mining
industry today. This is nearly one
half of the population of Colorado.
Every millionaire who died in Col
orado in the last ten years made hi,
fortune in mining. except two. On'
Of these was largely interested ii
mining enterprises, and his banl
was organized with mining capital.
| "Two-thirds OF Colorado's rich mel
know more OF the miners pick thar
OF the plow or the cash register.
How did Colorado's rich lawyer