Mohave County miner., 1915-05-01
The Down Town Pumps
 at Leadville, Colorado

because of the immediate territory which will be unwatered, but on ac- count of the encouragement it will give to other similar enterprises in the dis trict, says the Leadville Herald Demo- crat.
 There are enormous areas of richly mineralized mining ground under water today, not because mining men have lost faith in the enterprises, but be- cause the problem of funwatering is con- sidered such serious one. The down town mines were drained when silver was worth 65 cents an ounce and lead was selling at a far better price than at present. This is why the heavy burden of pumping expense could not be carried.
 It is a grave question if pumping operations would be undertaken at the present time were it not for the fact that cheap electric power is available, and that pumps have been constructed especially adapted to this particular work.
 The use of electricity in the drainage of the down town district will undoubt- edly demonstrate the economy of this method of operation, and it will prove to be the solution of the greatest diff culty with which mining men have to contend.
 Former Governor Jesse F. Mcdonald is to be heartily congratulated on the patience, perseverance and energy which he has shown in the development of this mining enterprise. It was not an easy matter to gather together the necessary ground which had to be se- cured before investors could be found to finance the enterprise. Then follow ed negotiations regarding the pumps, and the series of fortuitous circum- stances that finally led to the letting of the contract to an American firm, which agreed to produce an especially design ed pump to handle the water with cleo trically driven machinery. Those not familiar with the circumstances were inclined to be skeptical of the propo- sition, but Governor Mcdonald knew that in order to work out all the details patience and care must be exercises, but that there was no question as to the outcome.
 The down town mining area is to re- ceive re-birth and rejuvenation. And if the prediction of mining men are worthy of acceptance, the produc- ton of ore as result of mining opera tions next summer will be larger than ever.
 The courage and faith of the men back of this enterprise should be a lesson as well as an inspiration to Lead vile.
 There seems to be feeling in some quarters that business conditions here are so unsatisfactory that it is danger ous to embark in new enterprises or show any sign of growth, vigor or pro gress. Better stagnate than take a chance; seems to be the philosophy of some people. The men who are putting up the money and carrying to a success full completion the unwatering of the down town district are not infected with any of this spirit. The war is not going to last forever, and when it is over, in spite of tremendous readjust- ments, business itself will feel a great stimulus. There will be call for pro- ductive labor and the products of labor. There will be needed the materials for rebuilding the shattered civilization of the world, and to restore the balance in this country.
 Bras of high prices have always fol- lowed war. And there is no reason for believing that metals will not particirate in the upward move- ment.
 The man who launches Q mining enterprise at this time therefore holds loaded dice in the game with chance. The down town section is only a small portion of the Leadville district, but having once been developed # is known exactly what may be expected once the great territorv is drained The future of this section B therefore lrae,.c y