The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-04-20
COPPER LEAPS INTO
LEAD OF INDUSTRY
American Mines and Refincr-
les Rapidly Getting TO
Full Capacity.
WAR DEMAND THE CAUSE

The recovery Of the copper metal mar
het TO the point where there is not n
pound OF surplus copper In stock un-
sold and where tho demand for the rest
of the year will keep every mine and
refining plant at work has been one
OF the most remarkable demonstrations
In the business situation OF the country,
in the opinion OF the leaders in the In
dustry as expressed yesterday.
Despite tho fact that exports OF cop
per metal this year are running from
80 to 80 per cent. behind those OF last
year a; the same time; that domestic
consumption OF copper for other than
war order purposes is only obout so
per cent. Of the normal. and that pro-
duction has been decreased as "A result
Of the low state of the industry in
August and September. when copper
plants were running only at 30 per cent.
OF capacity. the price OF copper metal
continues to soar.
At the beginning OF the year copper
could be bought AT around IL cents a
pound. Yesterday the price was ad-
,anced from ~. to l7ig cents after a
steady advance during the whole of last
week. Copper producers. the conserva-
tives. forecast go cent copper
The reason given for the apparent
anomaly of advancing prices in the face
OF reduced export and reduced normal
home consumption Is that the amount
Of copper now being used and about
20 be used before the end of the year
in the manufacture OF brass for war
munitions will total figures which have
never been reached before In the brass
industry.
II was said yesterday that tho orders
OF several leading brass concerns for
their product at this time show In
crcases over those at the same period OF
last year of more than 1000 per cent.
The product is being used in the making
OF cartridge cases. shrapnel cases. guns
and military fittings of many kinds.
Experienced copper handlers said yes
terday that the way IN which the market
had been cleaned OF copper stocks for
this business had been record breaking.
IL has not yet begun to show in exports
TO any extent In the next few months.
however. beginning In June and continue
Ing over the end of the year, 1t was
said yesterday, the exports of copper in
the shape OF brass will he enormous.
Some OF the mines are now running
from IS to 90 per cent. OF capacity and
are making increases as fast as Is pos
sible. Tho refineries should he at rs per
cent. of capacity in another month"; and
running full by July.
Stores OF refined copper at the first Of
the year were estimated al from $50,
ooo.0o0 to 100000 pounds 1t was
said yesterday that every pound OF this
has been sold. Exports of copper for
February were 55.T37012 pounds. OF
about 81 per cent. OF those Of February
q year ago Exports OF copper for the
eight months ended with February were
<<l.7s8.53s pounds or about 20 per cent
OF those for the corresponding period
Of the previous year.
Tho big increase in exports or copper
are looked for in copper manufactures In
tho next several months.
PERTH AMBoy. y. j.. April ia
sudden revival in the copper trade has
compelled the Raritan Copper Works Of
this city TO buy its metal from outside
producers in order to Ill orders II has
on hand. The plant, recently purchased
by the Anaconda Copper Company. has
. capacity of 100000 pounds a day.