The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1918-12-12

inspector, ID Hiahii6 hio he"o-
N quarters at the Samuels hotel
a while engaged in his annual in
snection of the mines of the district
"a collect data which will be embodied
in his annual report covering the min
ing industry of Idaho. When his
work is completed here he will have
covered every mining district of the
state, and the compilation of the mass
Of material will occupy his attention
for the next few weeks. He expects
tc have the report ready for circula-
tion in February. The reports of
Mr., Bell are noted not alone for their
statistical value, but also for what
newspaper man would term their
"human interest" Figures are made
more impressive when accompanied
by story of deferred hope finally
realized, great natural barriers over
come by engineering skill, metalldr-
gIcal problems solved through the pa
tient application of technical knowl-
edee the manner of mineral forma-
+ IlOl dS IcNCdiCu III liC ioNNf' thio"SA
geologic ages, and new mining and
metallurgical enterprises that bring
rrOsperity and wealth to the state
All of these phases of the mining in
dustry find place in Mr.. Rell's report
giving human interest not
usually found in official publications
of that character and creating an in
terest in mining in Idaho not confin-
ed to those directly connected with
the industry
Decrease in Production.
While the prices of the metals pro-
duced in Idaho have been generally
high during the year now drawing to
close. due to the demands of war,
the same influence has had the effect
to curtail production and to cause a
suspension of mining operations IN
the development stage. While dehn-
ite figures are not yet available TO
give close estimate of the tonnage
and value of the mineral output OF
Idaho for this year, it is the opinion
o. Mr. Bell that it will show de-
crease of fully 20 per cent as compar-
ed with the production last year. This
estimate will be readily understood in
the Coeur d'Alene district when
produces upwards of 80 per cent OF
the mineral output of the state. All
of the producing mines of the as
trct have been short of men through
out the year, some of them having
hardly half the normal force. This
situation was due in part to the call
of men to the army and part to the
high wages paid in the shipyards on
the coast which attracted many men,
1t was the same influences, coupled
with the extremely high prices of all
mining supplies, that effectually stop
ped development of properties in the
prospective stage.
Future Looks Good.
So far as the labor shortage Is
concerned, that is now being relieved
by the return of men from the coast
which will soon be augmented per-
ceptibly by the release of men in the
military service. But the market fol
metals presents problem that no one
can solve at this time and the lndus'
try is therefore confronted with
period of uncertainty which will ne
cessarly continue a check to minint
enterprises. How long this perlot
will last Mr.. Bell does not venture u
Predict, but when it does end and nor
81 nal conditions are restored he con
fidently expects the mining industr.
OF Idaho to enter upon an era OF pro
longed prosperity. The Importance
mining in war brought the industr'
TO public attention as it had neVe
been before, and it Is believed tina
when business readjustment is ac
compished that capital will turn I
mining investments in the west to a
extent never known before.
Great Mining State.
Idaho now ranks high among Tn
metal mining states Of the west, an
uere is reason to expect 1t to au
vance to higher position during Tn
next few years. There is vast min
eral area in central Idaho that
practically untouched, due to its $50
alton. But the building of road
which is now the fixed policy OF II
state and national governments, WI
make a wonderful change in the 81
uation and make central Idaho mo-
attractive field for the investment
eapital in mining. In addition to II
meta. mines, Idaho has also a lars