The Colorado statesman., 1916-07-29
BIGGER PETROLEUM
OUTPUT PREDICTED
Accompanying Reduction in Gas
oIine Prices Expected by
Uncle Sam.
BOOM IN MINING INDUSTRY
Review of the Geological Survey In
dicates That Records Will Be
Broken in Many Fields During
Present Year.


Uncle Sam foresees an increased pro-
iuction of crude petroleum with an at
tendant early fall in the price of gaso-
line. This prediction is one of the
chief features of the midyear review of
mining conditions issued by the United
States geological survey. This report,
issued by Director George Otis Smith,
indicates that records will be broken
this year in the production of all kinds
of minerals. The report sums up con-
ditionS in the various mining fields as
| follows:
THE returns for six months furnish
basis for the belief that 1916 will set
up n new record for the soft coal
mines. Every coal mining state is
sharing in this prosperity and of
course this demand for coal is to be
traced back to the increased business
of the railroads and of the steel and
other large Industries.
Drilling activity throughout the oil
producing states has brought about
gratifying increase in production Of
crude oil that promises to make 1916
n record year for marketed petroleum.
Already production and consumption
are reported by the surveys specialist
as essentially in balance east of the
Rocky mountains, with n tendency to
lower prices.
Cement Industry Busy.
"The Portland cement industry has
had busy six months and the manu-
facturers are optimistic. 1t is predict
ed that in both production and ship
ments of cement this year will show a
gain over last year, il indeed it does
not establish Il new record for cement.
"Among the metals copper is con-
tinuing the steady increase in produc-
ton which began early last year, and
the forecast for 1916 indicates not on
ly the largest output ever known but
also the largest profits.
shipments of iron ore from Lake
Superior points for five months of
1916 exceeded by more than so per
cent those for the same month in 1915,
and the indications for the year are
favorable for new high record on
iron ore production, and of pig iron
as well. Higher prices with n, steady
manganese, with the result that this
years output of ore is expected to sur
pass the large production of last year.
''The lead and zinc mines are pro-
| ducing ore at Il rate even exceeding
that of last year and the prevailing
prices have made possible the working
of large quantities of low-grade ore.
''Most precious metal mines are op-
Grating at full capacity. The gold pro-
duction will probably fall below the
high yield of last year, but silver, the
one metal last to benefit by the general
domestic prosperity, is expected this
year to break all previous records.
Western Mines Active.
"The reports from the surveys west
ern offices are all optimistic. In Ari-
Zona mines and smelters are working
at high pressure, anG the production
of metals already shows an increase
that promises to make the value of the
| output nearly double that of last year.
Arizona will maintain first place as a
copper producer. New Mexico is con-
tinuing its rapid progress as metal
mining state, with increases in its out
i Pu' VI iedh, 'oppeif SOltl anu
YER. The mines of Colorado in the six
months just past have shown some
changes in output as compared with
last year; an increase of 30 per cent in
copper is Indicated, together with
small gains in lead and zinc, 10 per
cent decrease in gold, and little change
in silver. This output, however, repre-
sents large gain in value of mine
production. Mining has also been stim-
ulated in Montana, and the forecast
indicates an increase of GO per cent in
the value of the mine product over
that of last year. Here also record
outputs may be expected for 1915. Ida
ho mines are increasing their ship
ments in all the metals, with higher
wages and larger dividends as the re-
suit of better prices.
Utah is experiencing an ore produc-
| ton in excess of smelter capacity.
The value of the 1916 output of copper
Is expected to be double that of last
year. Throughout Nevada the old term
boom best expresses the present min
ing revival. Old mines are being re-
ported and regular producers are work
ing mt full capacity. The chief gains
in production will be in copper. lead,
and zinc. The increased activity in the
mining industry of California is find
ing expression largely in the reopen
ing of mines that have been long idle
and the opening of new mines for
chrome, tungsten, manganese, anti
mony and magnesite, rail shipments t;f
these ores to the East being made po,-
sible by prevailing high prices"