Gilpin observer., 1916-03-30
PROTECTION FOR INVESTORS
IN MINING SECURITIES
To Mining Ameri, an:

agriculture, horticulture, 1--we STOCK,
coal, and other smaller but important
items, all will ccncede that the
greatest asset of Colorado, is that
of mining. Great as has been the
development Of this industry, it is
but in it's infancy. Where there is
one mine producing wealth for the
owners, there are hundreds ready for
development and with the same as
surance of success as those that are
now making their owners rich.
} All this being an acknowledged
truth, the question is frequently ask
ed: "Wfat is the matter with Col
orado's mining industry and why is
3 it that more waelth-producersl are
not added to the already long hst?"
OF dollars available for mining i'm
vestments, but the owners of these
millions cannct find the opportuni-
ty to invest.
Tie answer is easy. The man or
company with big capital will not
consider a partially developed pros
pect-it must be producing mine
with ore enough in sight, the net re-
turns from which will pay back with
handsome profit the investment,
with further discoveries as velvet.
The owners of such properties as
these do not want to sell, as they
kpnyt- l,af Inx Il
fled to go ahead and take the prof
its themselves. AS result, com
paratively few m;nir G deals are be-
ing made and the untold wealth OF
mineral remains covered up in the
hills.
There is another class of investors
which perhaps more capital in the
aggregate tlan tie big fellows, ready
and willing to combine with others
in their class for the development
and operation Of mines, who would
gladly take a chance If they felt GER
tain that tEey would get u square
deal clear through to the dividend
paying stage. Eut it is this class
that has been made the victims of
tie unscrupulous p onoters until now
1t is almost impossible to sell stock
In any mining enterprise, no matter
how meritorious. The small inves-
tor at distance-or right here at
home, for that materials no means
Of distinguishing the good from the
bad; and, while the government has
made spasmodic efforts to put the
takers out Of busino IS, but little pro-
gress has been made. for the aver
age postoff,ce inspector does not
know any more about the merits OF
mining enterprise tfan Billy Sun
day does about Heaven or He'll
There are mining enterprises being
successfully conducted in Colorado.
paying regular dividends to the stock
holders, wherein the promoters had
to fight an Indictment in the Federal
Court and, after having overcome
this handicap, put he'd ahead to sue
cess.
Something should be done to place
Colorado's mining industry on a more
substantial and leg simate basis: some
arrangement whereby the eastern in
yestor-tfe man with $25 TO 800 to
put into mining-can be sure that
his money is going into a meritor-
ious and legitimate mining enterprise
where he will get q square deal and
chance to win g. cd money on hds
investment. There are number OF
public-spirited citi2ers wfo would be
willing to give of their time end
knowledge of the mining game. to
separate tie wheat from the chaff,
and either endorse or condemn every
proposition put up to the general pub
lie for investment. The man with
big money to invest can take care
of himself.
Teere are. perbars. thousand
partially developed but sile mines IN
Colorado, awaiting the necessary cap
ttal to make tfem profitable produc-
ers and there are many thousands
cs so-called small Investors WHO nre
ready and anxious 20 put percent
age Of their earnings into something
tl,st Will return Il en- more than the
savings banks Will pay. fer there is
q considerably larger p roent OF suc-
ceeses in leg!t,mr te mining enter
prices tfan in any other line. not
excetting tire talk Sfati-tics s'c'v
tt,nt mere money las been lest IN
banks. during the last five years,