The Washington herald., 1915-01-15
SILVER OUTPUT
. RECORD AMOUNT
Domestic Production During
1914 Totals 67,929,700
Ounces.
FIRST PLACE TO NEVADA
Idaho Ranks Second-Montana Falls
Behind-War Makes Difficult
Year for Producers.
FIRST PLACE TO NEVADA

According to preliminary estlmates OF
the United States Geological Survey and
the Bureau of the Mint, domestic pro-
duction of silver again reached a high
water mark in 1914. Estimates indicate
an output of S7,s29.7OO fine ounces, valued
at s7, Do, 900, but final figures may be
somewhat lower.
This again was one Of the greatest
outputs since domestic production of sill
YER began. according to H. D. McCaskey,
of the United States Geological Survey.
In 1872 1913 and 1914 the highest record
outputs of quantity have been made, but
owing to varying yearly average prices
for the metal the value of the output has
frequently in the last twenty-five years
exceeded the value of any one recent
year.
Production Increases.
Increases in mine production of silver
were notable in Idaho, California, and
Arizona in 1914, and large decreases were
recorded in Montana, Utah, Nevada, and
Colorado" says the report.
Nevada retained first place in out
nut of silver in 1914 but early figures
from mines indicate a decrease in pro-
duction of more than 10000 ounces. The
Tonopah, Nevada Hills, Nevada Wonder,
Rochester, and other mines were active
producers.
Idaho ranked second in silver produc-
ton in 1914, with an increase in produc-
ton of about 100000 ounces. making a
record for the State. The great lead
silver mines of the Couer d'Alene had
particularly productive year.
'In Montana the silver output fell OF
more than 10000 ounces, owing chiefly
to the curtailed copper yield, resulting
mainly from the European war, but also
| in part from labor conditions in Butte.
| Utah ranked fourth in output. but the
yield declined The bulk of the silver
produced was derived from silver-bearing
! lead ores Of the Tintic district, but Park
City, Bingham, and other districts con-
tributed.
Colorado Is Fifth.
| Colorado ranked fifth in silver pro-
duction, with a decrease of more than
10000 ounces, and Arizona ranked sixth
/ with an increase Of about the same
quantity and a record output.
Low metal prices and disorganiZed
| markets in the latter part of 1914, es'
peciaIly, and curtailment of copper out
put owing to the European war, made
! the year a difficult one for producers
| Of silver But for the increased yield
of siIiceous silver ores at Tonopah and
in Arizona and the silver lead-zinc ores
especially at Butte and in the CoueI
d. Alenes, the silver yield would have
| been greatly decreased; and but for the
| European war the domestic silver out
put would have broken all records II
i quantity of output, at least.
New York Prices Low.
.'Demand for silver from India ant
China was disappointIngly light in 1914
and London stocks accumulated. result
ing in a poor market. New York prices
rejecting these conditions, are general,
low. especially in the later half OF III
wear, For fine bar silver the price aver
aged 57.6 cents in January, SIS in Feb
ruary, IS in March, 5S.5 in April, and 81.
in MAY. In June it dropped to 56.5, il
: July to SAL in August to 54.S, in Septem
!: ber to So in October to 5O.7. and in No
vember to 49.1. The average for Decem
: Der was about 49y4 cents, and therefor
the general average for the year wa
: only about 54S cents, or the lowest sine
1911.
"The imports of silver in 1914 wer
valued at S25.331.oOO. as estimate'
from records of the Bureau of For
eign and Domestic Commerce. Export
were valued at $5O.5OO,oOo. or SIS,
1863, 600 in excess of imports. In 19l
excess of exports over imports wa
S26. .sO3,il2.
THE imports of silver in 1914 wer
as usual, chiefly in ore and bullior
and lrainIy from Mexico, which sup
plied SI41S6,OOC in silver. and Can
III "a which suDnlied S5657 OOO