The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1915-12-09

The figures in the first table viii
insure a merry Christmas to large
number of stockholders in Coeul
d'Alene mines, But they mean more
than good cheer to the stockholders
alone. They mean also that in earn
ing the tremendous profits for the
owners other millions have been dis
bursed in the form of wages and In
the purchase of supplies, contributing
directly to the prosperity of thous-
ands Of people and giving them the
means to make merry and enter, fully
into the spirit of the Christmas sea-
son.
The figures in the second table
showing the mining profits for the
year are approximately correct, Some
of them, notably the Hercules are
based on careful estimates. 1t is a
wonderful record, far in excess of that
of any other year and tells the story
as nothing else can of the marvellous
richness and permanence of Occur
dAlene mines. The net profits of the
mines for 1914, taken from official
statements, was $6,042,752, showing
an increase of almost $3,000,OO0 in
1915. No figures of tonnage are yet
obtainable, but it is probable, owing
to the shutdown of several producers
during the year, that it will not show
much If any increase the Increased
earnings being accounted for in the
high prices of lead and spelter that
have prevailed during the wear.
Bigger Things in 1916.
With the close of the year all indi-
cations point to a large increase IN
both profits and tonnage during the
coming year Several new mines are
certain to enter the productive stage,
while the present operating compan-
les will crowd production under the
stimulus of high prices. In addition
to these elements, improved metal
lurgieal methods continue to solve
difficulties that have stood in the way
of mineral recovery and through this
means it is probable that a substan-
tial addition will be made to the min
eral output of the district during the
-oming year.
Another factor that may prove OF
much Importance in expanding MN
ing operations during 1916 is railroad
construction. One rich section OF the
district, Beaver creek, is practically
certain to have railroad, and with
transportation supplied it is destined
at no distant date to play an import
ant part in swelling the output OF the
Coeur dAlenes.
The rapidity with which Pine creek
is advancing as mineral field JUS
titles the prediction that it will not be
without transportation facilities long
1t is a section of wonderful posslblli-
tes and the tonnage it will soon be In
position to produce can not long De
ignored
The North Side is not without
bright prospects for the future, for
the correspondent of The Miner, VINO
knows conditions over there better
than any other man, tells of the at
tention large interests are now CIV
ing that section which clearly pre-
sages a resumption of active mining
in that long neglected district.
Outlook Could Hardly Be Better.
When one considers the accomplish
ments of the mines of the Occur
d'Alene district and the certainty that
they will continue to pour out their
wealth, and the prosperity that
spreads to the thousands who share
in their bounty in one form or anoth-
er, 1t Is impossible to escape the con-
clusion that we Of the Occur d'Alenes
live in favored district and know
little of the pinch Of hard times as
experienced by the people in less ia
vored communities. 1t is well to re-
fleet upon this phase of life In the
mining camps as the Christmas sea-
son approaches and to resolve to DO
something to contribute to those less
fortunately situated