The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1915-10-21
PROSPERITY FOR METAL MINERS


Conditions were pretty quiet for the
miners of the base metals when the
European war started, but soon there
after the demand for copper, lead and
zinc began to show a marked increase,
the metals being shipped either direct
featured into munitions of war, or the
munitions were manufactured In this
country and shipped in that form. The
demand has been steady from that
date and prices have reached point
never before known in the history of
mining, having reference particularly
to spelter The consumption of the
metals has been enormous and still
continues, and prices of spelter and
"copper" although falling back from
the high water mark, are still high,
while lead remains firm at figure
that insures a good profit to the pro-
Queer The European demand will
continue long after the war, and that
may last several years, for the de-
mands of peace will be quite as heavy
during the period of reconstruction as
1t has been during the war. Thus TAX
Ing into consideration the foreign mar
ket for lead, copper and zinc, the con-
sumption is certain to be sufficient to
maintain good prices for the product
of mines of the United States for sew
eral years
But the home market Is coming back
also, Independent of the amount Of
metal consumed for munitions of war.
Already the democratic administra-
tion has discovered the blunder of the
Underwood law and is preparing to
remedy 1t by general increase of the
duties, not for protection, however
but as revenue measure. II is not
likely that the new measure win meet
the requirements Of business, but II
will be an indirect recognition of the
protective principle and the forerun-
ner of the restoration to power of the
party that will reestablish the protec-
tive policy because II Is necessary for
the prosperity of the people. The
home market was lost before the war
because the Underwood law opened
the door of American ports to the pro-
ducts OF cheap labor of foreign coun-
tries. In preparing to give measure |
Of protection to American producers,
the administration recognizes but does |
not admit the failure of the Under
wood law. However, If the demo- |
cratic program is carried out to in !,
crease the tariff 1t will materially help
the business situation in general, and /
the object lesson will not be lost on
the thinking people of the country.
Schoolroom theories designed to whet
the wits of American manufacturers
by forcing them into competition with
the foreigner have proved dismal
failure, and American business and
labor have paid heavy penalty for
the experiment. The people demand
that protection be again made the
fixed policy of the government, and
the half loaf about TO be offered by the
democratic administration may help
the situation, but 1t will not satisfy |,
the people.
Summed up the situation appears to
be this from the standpoint of the
metal miners The foreign market Is
assured for a period of years. The
administration has been
forced through the failure of it's own
law to recognize the deplorable con-
dition. Of business throughout the
and prepare to relieve 1t
through increase in the tariff duties,
which will result in improving the
home market for raw materials. The
people are in a mood to demand a
tariff policy that will insure protection
as the permanent policy and maintain
the home market for the home produce ~
prs. is
UntG the European war the home &C