The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1918-12-14
MINING INSPECTOR
PREPARES REPORT
PRODUCTION OF IDAHO MINES
FOR 1918 is 20 PER CENT
BELOW NORMAL


Robert N. Bell, state mine Inspector,
is making his headquarters at the
Samuels hotel while engaged in his
annual inspection of the mines of the
district to collect data which will be
! embodied in his annual report cover
ing the. mining industry of Idaho.
When his work is completed here he
will have covered every mining dis
trict of the state, and the compilation
of the mass of material will occupy
his attention for the next few weeks.
He expects to have the report ready
for circulation in February. The re-
ports 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 accom-
panied by a story of deferred hope
finally realized, great natural bar
riers overcome by engineering skill,
metallurgical problems solved through
the patient application of technical
knowledge, the manner of mineral
formation as revealed in the rocks
through geologic ages, and new min
ing and metallurgical enterprises that
bring prosperity and wealth to the
state. All of these phases of the
mining industry find place in Mr.
Bells report, giving human interest
not usually found in official publica
tions of that character and creating
an interest in mining in Idaho not
confined to those directly connected
with the industry.
Decrease in Production.
While the prices of the metals pro-
J,,ooJ TJobo bouo hoan lIu
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 defi-
mite figures are not yet available to !
give a close estimate of the tonnage
and value of the mineral output of |
Idaho for this year, it is the opinion |
of Mr.. Bell that it will show de- |
crease of fully 20 per cent as COM
pared with the production last year.
This estimate will be readily under
stood in the Occur d'Alene district,
which produces upwards of 80 per
cent of the mineral output of the
state. All of the producing mines
of the district have been short of
men throughout the year, some of
CHeIu having HdIuly HALL JIG iioAi Aiiie'i
force. This situation was due in part
to the call of men to the army and
part to the high wages paid in the
on the coast which attract
ed many men, 1t was the same in
fluences, coupled with the extremely
high prices of all mining supplies,
that effectually stopped development
Of properties in the prospective stage.
Future Looks Good
So far as the labor shortage is con-
that is now being relieved by
The return of men from the coast,
which will soon be augmented per
,eptibly by the release of men in the
military service. But the market for
metals presents problem that no one
AN solve at this time, and the indus
nv is therefore confronted with a
period of uncertainty which will ne
,essarily continue a check to mining
How long this period
will last, Mr.. Bell does not venture to
predict, but when it does end and /
formal conditions are restored he con-
identity expects the mining industry I
# Idaho to enter upon an era OF pro. s
onged prosperity. The Importance OF i
mining in war brought the industry ]
o public attention as it had never :
,een before, and it is believed that !
yhen business readjustment is ac- !
omplished that capital will turn to
mining investments in the west to an
xtent never known before. ,
Great Mining State
Idaho now ranks high among the
netal mining states of the west, and I
here is reason to expect it to advance !
o higher position during the next !
ew years. There is vast mineral
rea in central Idaho that is practic-
lily untouched, due to its isolation.
tut the building of roads, which is c
ow the fixed policy of the state and '
ational governments, will make :
ronderful change in the situation and
lake central Idaho a most attractive a
eld for the investment of capital in p
lining. In addition to the metal t
lines, Idaho has also large deposit t
{ coal, for the development of which e
Iuch credit is due to Mine Inspector n
ell. In spite of unfavorable reports "
.om the bureau of mines, he insisted v
,om year to year that it was of COM 3
ercial value and compared favorably v
ith Wyoming coal. His contention c;
as now been vindicated by actual a
svelopment. A strong company has b.
,quired the mines and branch rail-
,ad 10 miles in length is noB near
e completion, which will enAHle the
Hners to place the product on the er
arket in competition with the coal OF st
lioining states. The mines are in al
eton county.-Wallace Miner. W