Mohave County miner., 1916-10-14
ENGINEER THINKS J. S.
 SHOULD CONTINUE ID
 FIX PRICES OF METALS

| CHlCAGO, OcC. S.-hlrDy 4HOillas of New York, consulting engineer for some of the largest metal mining com panies in the country, y7s,s in Chicago this week In an interview he insist ed that the greatest problem that con fronts the mining men of America to- day is that of present and future world supremacy.
 Before the war;" said MT. Thomas, "prices were made for us by Germany. Today England is trying to assume the control which lapsed at the beginning of the war. Temporarily prices are be- ing made in this country, and the prob lem that confronts us is how to retain that control of world metal markets after the war.
 And that is the question which I hope will receive the careful consid- eration of the American Mining Con gress when it meets at Hotel La Sale, Chicago, November 13.
 'It is a critical period in the min ing industry, for today the industry is confronted with the problem of expan- sion incident to phenomenal prices war prices, and unique and irregular market, due also to the war. say unique and irregular because the warning countries pay us phenomenal prices one day and on the next day they want no more of the product. It is a case of prices moving up and down and rapidly at that. Then, too, the political aspect of the mining in dustry is vitally affected by the pros pect of the foreign trade horizon of the United States, which means an acute problem after the war. With these fundamental factors at work, and the industry had to meet wage increase, and increase in cost of material by improved processes, by better equip ment, by decided improvement in min ing efficiency.
 "So you see that the questions which will come up for solution before the American Mining congress are broad and fundamental. No session ever held is, in my opinion, quite as impor tant as will be this one at Chicago.
 And the most important problem of all is the question of control of the metal market. Are we going to change from Germany to England? Will Eng land be more trying master than was Germany? And why, pray, change masters? Why, indeed!
 "We can and we must be a world power in the mining industry.
 "Clinging to this problem like Sia- mese twin is that other question, what's going to happen to American mining interests abroad, in Mexico, in Canada, in Colombia, in Peru, in Chile?' Ask Washington.
 To-day three-quarters of the mining engineering heads of the world come from England and America-and America leads England in this respect. Why, Russia has been calling for them as fast as they crop up. I just sent a man to Peru and another to Brazil.
 'I ask this question: Should we be confined to sending out only our brains and keep our money at home. It de- bends on Washington. Protection of American capital invested abroad is what is needed. Capital is, as you know, timid. It will not go where it does not feel secure, where there is the slightest doubt about it's return. When it goes out it wants not alone a 'God-speed-you,' but an 'Au Revoir' from its own government. That is what English capital gets when it goes abroad. Of course, talent is never timid. Brains go where there is the greatest demand for them and the best pay. But what does that little return m payment for brains amount to com pared to the enormous returns that come from the free and protected in- vestment of millions upon millions in capital.
 And another fundamental problem which l will not discuss in detail is the tariff need of the mining industry.
 But above and beyond all, I hope the congress will discuss as compre-  henslvely and thoroughly as possible Fthe problem of building for the future upon the present abnormal demands for metal.