Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1916-08-19

Almost simultaneous with the ap
rearance of German submarine mer'
chairman on our Eastern shores, bear
lug a cargo of dyes from that country
so long hemmed in by Britain's watch
full ships, comes word of the discovery
of a vast deposit Of potash in the
basin of Malheur Lake, south Of
Burns, Ore. Potash, be it known, is
enc OF Germany's products which have
been bottled up by Englands naval
blockade and its scarcity has threat
ened disaster to more than one Amer
can industry depending on it for the
manufacture of its products. ....
The startling arrival in this country
of an under-the-sea carrier, which
promised to open up mercantile trans.
portauon between the United States
and blockaded Germany, however, has
not dampened in the slightest the op-
timism OF a group of prospectors head
ed by the official heads of Idaho and
Oregon, who are now investigating
the Oregon potash deposits. 1t il
their opinion that the hardy German
sailors will never need to risk their
lives on the oceans bed in an effort
to bring potash to this country. 1t is
planned to place the Oregon mineral
at the disposal OF American manu-
facturers. In other words, more pot
ash will be available for our own use
and at a lower price than ever before
the war.
Discovery Made
The first information concerning the
Oregon potash deposit under Malheur
Lake came from Harry Wilson, Cald-
well, Idaho, businessman and success
full mine owner. Chemical analysis OF
the water of the lake and other tests
made by experts indicate that the pot.
esh deposits in that district are the
largest in the Western hemisphere.
All of those who engaged in the re-
search work urged that immediate
steps be taken to drain the lake and
thereby gain access to this valuable
and important mineral
With this in view D prospecting
party was organized. headed by Gov.
ernor Withcombe, Secretary of State
olcott, State Treasurer Kay, Attor-
ney General Brown and State Engi-
neer Lewis, all OF Oregon, and Gtw
ernor Hawley OF Idaho, together with
. few prominent Chicago capitalists,
and tour was started to secure an
assay of the resources under the lake.
When the assay has been properly
made II is planned to present it 70
the proper authorities at Washington
so as to secure federal assistance in
the development Of tbs- project.
Trip Made IN Cole
The prospecting tour in itself fur.
nishes one of the most interesting in
cidents since the mining booms OF
several years ago. In order to reach
kalheur Lake il was necessary fol
tie party to traverse one of the wild
est and most untrayeled parts of the
Western country. Leaving Caldwell,
Idaho, in Cole cars especially adapted
for rough travel, the prospeetors
headed south into Oregon. 1t was
planned to follow a winding route
which would take in all of the pria
cipal mines in the Snake River ana
Malheur Lake country. After cover
ing a greater part Of the state the
party was to go north to FairbanksN
Ore, where 1t expected to follow the
Hood River highway into Porthnd.
At this writing the trip had not heeu
completed and extensive plans yer.
being made for the reception Of the
prospectors when they reach the city.