Gilpin observer., 1918-12-12
tBy ROLAND Neenan.)

(By ROLAND Neenan.)
has been much said as is usually the
| case. very little done in connection
with the governments appeal for great
| er activity in the production Of metals.
Perhaps with the war at an end the
need is not SO pressing as it may have
| been in the past, still with years of re-
| construction work ahead in the devas-
tated areas Of Europe. there is certain
to be a continued demand for enormous
quantities Of the Industrial metals.
Depend on Small Operator.
Officials of our own Bureau of Mines
agree that 1t is to the small mine op-
orator and the prospector to whom we
must look for the future discovery Of
still unexplored mineral areas, and 1t is
upon them the future production OF met
ais depends. when our present sources
Of production have been drained. There
fore. 1t is the small mine owner and the
prospector who must be encouraged and
aided in their activities.
Prospeetor's Tenacity
Every one In our western country
knows Of and admiyes the marvellous
sticking qualities" OF the average pros
pector with "hole in the ground"
some place in the hills. In this district
the prospector usually has claim from
which he gouges a little ore now and
| then. Some more fortunate ones man.
age an occasional shipment to the
smelter. securing sometimes enough
money to finance further development.
1t is the custom smelters that have
istence.
Custom Smelters.
The smelling trust has put more prop
critics on the reproducing list than a
dozen busted "silver standards" could
ever hope to do. Their system of pen
alties." percentage basis" treatment
charges" It's usually mighty rough
treatment at that and so on ad naus-
cum, take all the way from a quarter to
two thirds Of the contents of ton Of
ore. But 1t is to the method of samp-
ling that the shipper most strongly OBJ
iects. Everything here is shrouded in
mystery. The buildings, in which the
assaying is done are barred by mo
Admittance" signs. The shipper usually
takes what he gets" then crawls back
to his cabin to lick his wounds,
| No Checking.
or course 1t is possible for him to
have his ore looked after and sampled
by an independent assayer. but the
smelter management refuse to check re-
suits with him. AS a last resort, in
case of unsatisfactory returns, the ship
per may demand what is known as an
umpire sample"
In a recent case the umpire" was
sent to Denver. and the shipper wait
ed three weeks. finally receiving bill
for IS from Denver assayers and word
that their assay coincided with the re-
suits Of the smelter's test.
Calls for New Law.
Our newly elected legislators should
take 1t upon themselves to introduce be-
fore the next legislature in every Rocky
Mountain state a memorial to congress
praying for government supervision and
control Of our custom smelters Such
action might not achieve anything, but
1t would be trying. at least.
To further illustrate what "encour-
agement" a small shipper receives from
the custom smelters. let me tell you the
story of one such unfortunate. Let us
give him name; that will make us
| feel better acquainted with him and
more apt to give him our sympathy.
When you have read the sad case Of
Jim JONES'" you will agree that SYM
pathy is what he needs.
Jim Jones' Experience.
Jim was a iikeable. industrious fellow
and when he started work on his claim
near, let us say "Oreville." the mer-
chants were glad to give him credit and
the whole camp was boosted for him to
strike something good.
After several months Of digging pits
and running tunnels. Jim hit on some
thing that looked to him like ready
money. fine shining vein of lead that
looked good enough to eat. Jim had It
tested and was rather disappointed to
learn that It contained only trace of
silver. but he wasn't at all down-heart-
ed because 1t showed 30 per cent lead.
He Makes Estimate
That night after he had finished his
supper and washed his dishes, Jim fig
urSi It all out In little red backed
book: 30 per cent meant 600 pounds to
the ton; 600 pounds at cents per
pound. the market price, came to s4S
per ton. Jim was willing to be gener-
Gus and let the IS go for freight and
smelling charges; $40 rock wasn't half
bad. thought Jim. Besides. Uncle Sam
needed bullets to bean the Boches, and
right there Jim made a resolution to
dig enough lead to sink every U-boat
| on the seas.
Ready to Ship.
BY working hard. Jim managed In