The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1918-01-24

probably are estimated at 270 short
tons. valued at about $4,000, compar-
ed with 6S4 tons in 1916. Zinc dust
was imported to the amount Of $50
tons, worth $4,000. The imports Of
zinc ore in 1917 were approximately
$4,000 short tons, containing about
75,600 tons of zinc and worth about
$3.50, 900 compared with 3S5,964 tons
Of ore containing 14S,147 tons of zinc
In 1916
Exports of spelter and sheets made
from domestic ore are estimated at
$4,000 short tons, worth $37,000,000,
compared with 16S,137 tons, worth $751;
1880, in 1916. Exports of spelter
made from foreign ore are estimated
at $4,000 valued at $11,900,OO0. COM
pared with 1920 tons in 1916. The
exports of zinc manufactures fell off
to 100000 in 1917 from $572,2S6 in
1915. The exports of brass are estim-
ated at 1659,O00 tons, valued at $104,-
100000, compared with 122,466 tons,
worth $72,6S3,626, in 1916 Manufact-
ures of brass were exported to the
value of about $f34, 100000, compared
with 241,66S, 0S1 in 1916 The value of
loaded cartridges exported in 1917 was
about $41,O00,OO0 against $55, 10000 in
1915.
Domestic Consumption Slightly De-
creased; Stocks Greatly Increased.
The apparent domestic consumption
of spelter in 1917 may be computed as
follows: The sum of the stock on hand
at shelters at the beginning of the
year, 1888 tons, plus the imports. es-
timated at 270 tons, and the produce
ton, Isl tons, gives the total avail
able supply-6S5,619 tons. From this
are to be subtracted the exports of do
nestle spelter and sheets, $4,000 tons,
the exports of spelter made from for-
eign ore, 10000 tons, and the stock on
hand at smelters at the end of the
year (to be exact, on December 81, 90.
107 tons, or a total of 254,107 tons,
leaving balance of All, 500 tons as the
apparent domestic consumption. This
calculation takes no account of the
stocks of spelter held by dealers or
consumers. This shows decrease of
$4,000 tons when compared with 49,
42S tons apparently consumed in 1916.
This decrease is partly accounted for
by the increase of $4,000 tons in the
zinc content of exports of brass. On
the other hand, the exports of manu-
features of brass decreased nearly one
half. The normal antewar consump-
ton of spelter in the United States
was about 100000 tons.
The stock of spelter on hand at the
smelters, in transit, or in the hands of
agents December Is, 1917, was 50,107
tons, as compared with 1883 tons in
hand or transit January 1, 1917, with
S3,147 tons June 80 and with 47,1S6
September 30.
Great Decline in the Price of Spelter.
The price of spelter at ST. Louis
started at 9.75 cents a pound and after
receding to 8 cents at the middle of
January rose gradually to 1875 cents
early in March. The price dropped to
SO cents late in April, rose gradually
to 9.4 cents by the end of May, but in
a series of declines, with short recov-
cries, reached 7.75 near which it closed
the year. The average quoted price for
the year for prime western spelter at
st. Louis was S.9 cents a pound, as
with an average sales price
for all grades of 1874 cents a pound in
1916 and an average sales price of 1874
cents in 1915.
The foregoing st. Louis prices are
those of the ordinary commercial
grade of spelter. High grade spelter
for cartridge spinning has
been so much in demand that it has
brought good premium.