Bisbee daily review. [volume] (Bisbee, Ariz.) 1901-1971, 1918-03-02
THE PRICE OF COPPER.

fixed by the United States government
todav are several factors of greatest i'm
portance to the mine owners, the miners
and the nations allied with this country in
war. The fixed price is just as necessary for
metal as for grain, or for sugar. or for wheat
But that the price should be fixed within
reason on copper as well as on other COM
modities, is equally certain.
Without sufficient price mining COM
panies are handicapped. Development of
ore reserves depends largely on the price of
copper. The wage paid miners and other
operatives employed and their skill is to a
large degree regulated by the wage paid,
And, finally, the supply of copper for this
nation and for the allies viii ultimately be
determined by the price fixed for metal.
Reports of the Arizona mines for the past
month have demonstrated clearly several
important facts. The output of copper has
been lower. Mines have been forced to sac
rifice their ore reserves and their high-grade
ores to keep up production. Development
has been hampered. And wages have re-
manned at the same level.
A large part of the copper production
of the nation is being exported. In 1917
over one billion pounds of total output OF
one billion eight hundred millions pounds
finding its way out of this country, an
increase of nearly four hundred million
pounds over the year before. January ex-
ports are estimated at one hundred and
fifteen million pounds as compared with
ninety-three million pounds for December,
evidencing an increase IN export over last
year With practically no increase in pro-
duction, this means a substantial curtail-
ment of the supply.
Demand for copper will continue, even
with the end of the war. The allies may at
that time curtail their importations, but de-
creases here are likely to be offset to large
degree by importations into Germany. he
greatest percentage of copper now going
abroad is consumed and cannot be re-
claimed. Copper is a prime war necessity,
and unless production is stimulated It Is
difficult to see how this government and the
allies shall escape a dire shortage in their
supply of this metal should the war continue
much longer.
There is one remedy. One means is open
the production may be stimulated.
The key to the situation is in the hands of
the government, and the policy of the gov
eminent in fixing high prices for wheat and
grain and low price for copper is not
easily explained. Advancement of the max
imum price of copper now allowed will
alleviate the situation. 1t will permit min
ing companies to retain the competent men
now employed, but who are fast leaving
to accept more remuneratiVe places in the
government shipbuilding yards 1t will
permit of the development of ore reserves
and of the exploration of undeveloped
properties 1t viii permit of an increase in
the wage now paid operators in the mines.
And, finally, it will assure this country and
her allies an adequate copper supply for
the duration of the war.
Mine owners and miners throughout
Arizona are recognizing their agreement
with the government whereby they shall
continue to produce copper to maximum
throughout the war. The wage
question, however, is continually rising.
Mine owners and miners recognize, how
ever, that but one remedy for this problem
is possible This is a rise in the basic price
Of copper. The solution
Concerted action by everyone interested
in the output of copper in this state to
secure a higher fixed price for the metal
when the government again sets a price
this summer, will do more toward stinu-
Iating interest in the copper mining in
1ustry in Arizona, and will work more to
harmonious settlement Of al disputes than