Gilpin observer., 1915-01-14
DO SHELTERS ROB PATRoNss

One mlBnt argue WIN us until dne
top of his head had grown clear
through his hair and he could not con-
vince us that the smelters do not take
an unfair advantage Of the small pro-
ducers and shippers OF ore. And there
are most cogent reasons why we
should enertain this doubt Of their in.
tegrity. In the beginning there is
the incentive and the opportunity for
such practices without fear Of detec-
ton, and tie INSCRIPTIONS investor
is always quick to perceive and seize
upon such chances. Then again, the
dividends paid by the smelling com
panies are out Of all proportion to
the rates charged for treatment.
Also, the check control is a travesty
and delusion. II smelter wanted
to secure a certain indefinite margin
it would provide that the check con-
troll should not disclose such a rake
off. We do not say that the control
would be 'doctCred," tut it would be
So ooediAcu tHdt IL WOulO Ue duSoI-
utely safe for the purchaser. Then
there are the arbitrary margins on
every metal TO protect against the
theoretical less in treatment. The
gold is worth $2O.67 an ounce. The
smaller shipper does not get to ex-
ceed $3.50 an ounce, but the smelt-
ers sxve over $50 an ounce. Ninety
five per cent of New York quota
than 81 to IS per ceLt is saved. For
the lead the shipper gets from 80 to
30 per cent of the market value, on
the representation that loss in treat
ment and transpoi tation of the bull
lion to market absorbs the remain
der. With the copper the proportion
Is not quite SO great, although it is
plenty. Then there is always a
charge for the silica, but seldom any
credit for the iron and lime, although
quantities Of both the last named
materials must be purchased to make
UP the due proportion in the ore char
ges.
But now comes the milk OF the CO.
coanut: We wondered for long
time why, since such large proper
tion OF the ore received was of such
a combination of minerals as to oc-
cosion SO much did not add first
class separating plants to their equip
ment, so that a goodly per centage
OF such losses could be overcome. We
now know why this was not done. All
up-to-date smelters now include bag
houses in which to collect the fur
mace smoke" In these metal-laden
fumes is not only most Of the lead
and copper lost in smelling, but as
well the bulk of hte zinc, for which
no credit was given and when in any
amount has charge placed against
either in an increase for treatment
or in penalties. The larger portion
Of these mineral fumes are saved and
are sold at a high price for paint
and other uses. All these petty PEN
alties and margins make the big pro-
fits. And there are still other rake
offs.
All. but these PEOPLE are smooth
and plausible in their explanations of
the awful chances they are taking
just to provide a market for the little
miner and his little lots OF ore. But
their professions will not stand the
test OF careful analysis. While the
small miner continues to grow poorer
the smelling man is always growing
richer. The puzzle to us is that all
miners do not try to get into the
smelling business. Yes one may talk
until they are bald-headed. but until
the smeters approve and support the
plan for public sampling works under
state or national control we cannot
be convinced but that they deliber-
ately adopt measures for the purchase
OF ore that in effect robs and des-
polls their smaller patrons OF what
rightfully belongs 10 the lat;er.-Lake
City Times.