The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1916-04-27
IDAHO SHOULD HAVE METAL
LuRelcAL EXPERIMENTAL
STATION.

The federal government, through
the bureau of mines, Is about TO take
an important step in the interest OF
the mining industry. perhaps in some
resneets the most important that has
ever been taken. Experimental sta
tions are to be established in various
parts of the country for the purpose OF
carving on metallurgical research
work. the results achieved to be USED
for the benefit of the mining industry.
In other words the government Is
preparing to inaugurate system
similar to that which has been main
tanned for many years by the agricui-
tural department for the benefit OF the
farmers, fruit growers and stock men.
Numerous experimental stations have
solved many of the problems that have
VeXed the FARMERS, anu uisSoFSi'N9
have been made which have added
millions to the profits of those engag-
ed in agricultural pursuits All this
information evolved by the depart
ment is given the widest publicity and
is made accessible and absolutely free
to all citizens who desire it.
And now the government is prepar-
ing to give the same substantial en-
couragement to the miner that 1t Is
giving to the farmer and there is an
unlimited field in which to operate
Men of the highest technical training
win be placed in charge of metallurgi-
cal experimental stations and equip
ped with every facility to effect econ
omies in the treatment of ores, for the
recovery of mineral values now lost,
and for the extraction of values from
sources which have hitherto resisted
all attempts to unravel the mystery
of their hidden wealth. 1t is splen-
did work the government is about to
undertake, and the location of the ex-
detrimental stations should be selected
with, the view to getting the very best
results. Efforts are now being made
by the commercial bodies of various
cities in the west to secure one of
these stations, and in some cases the
real purpose of the stations seems to
be lost sight of in the eagerness to add
another public institution to the at
fractions Of the city. 1t is believed
that the mining bureau, which it is
assumed win have a voice in the To-
cation of the experimental stations,
will not be misled by the booster
spirit back of these appeals, but will
rather keep in view the greatest good
to the mining industry and make that
the controlling factor in selecting To-
cations.
As one of the great mining states of
the west, and one that offers a field for
research work such as the government
will undertake second to none Idaho
should be favored with the location of
one of these experimental stations.
This should be conceded without ques-
ton. And If this be conceded, then
the most desirable location for the in
stitution in Idah) is Wallace. 1t Is in
the center of the greatest mining ac-
tivity in the state, a district of ever
extending boundaries and with tre
mendous possibilities of future min
eral development. In the Occur
d'Alene district alone there are pro-
duced now in commercial quantities
gold, silver, lead, zinc, copper, anti
mony and tungsten, all presenting |
problems to be solved by metallurgical
experiments, while the possibility of
other valuable minerals in
this and adjacent territory is strong |
to metallurgical research.
rhe location of an experimental sta
ion here is matter that should en-
LIST the active support of the large OPP y