The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1919-03-27
Is Encouraging, but
Cut Should be
Made Deeper
STEEL PRICES REDUCED
Local Company Announces
New Scale of Prices for
Mine Explosives

prices of commodities that en-
ter into mining operations are
being reduced, and while the
process is not as rapid as We would
like, nor the prices being cut to the
extent that they should be, the down.
ward movement Is nevertheless en-
couraging. 1t is evident that prices of
powder, steel products, ETC., are con-
trolled by the manufacturers and that
the local distributors are powerless to
go beyond the schedules fixed by
those higher up in the reduction of
prices. The high cost Of explosives
has been and is one of the most seri-
Gus obstacles in the way of resump-
tion of mining development and while
i. is pleasing to note another cut Of 50
per hundred, it also emphasizes the
fact that further and more drastic re-
ductions should be made. 1t is known
that prices of raw material that en-
ters into the manufacture Of mining
explosives have fallen to almost a
peace level since the armistice was
signed, and that the reduction in
prices Of explosives is not commen-
surate with the present cost Of pro-
duction. On December 13 a cut Of 81
per hundred was announced by explo-
sive manufacturers, and another sim
liar reduction has just been announc-
ed, effective March a.
New Price of Powder.
The Wallace Powder company, of
this city, which practically controls
the explosive business of this district,
has issued a circular announcing the
reduction and giving the new prices
Of explosives in common use for min
ing. The circular says:
"The manufacturers of high explo-
sives have announced reduction in
the price Of powder for mining pur-
poses, and we are therefore adopting
the following schedule on Dupont and
Giant explosives, for delivery from
our Wallace magazines, effective
March "a, 1919.
$40 per cent L. F. gelatin and Giant
" L. F. gelatin, 50-lb. cases, per 100
pounds, ton lots, $24; less than ton
lots, s24.50.
go per cent L. F. gelatin and Giant
" L. F. gelatin, 5O-lb. cases only, per
100 pounds, ton lots, $26.50; less than
ton lots, $27.
at per cent stumping powder, So
lb. cases only, per 1000 lbs, $19.25;
less than ton lots $19.75."
Before the war the price of 40 per
cent Giant and Dupont gelatin was
$145O per hundred and 60 per cent
was $1S, from which it is evident that
the price of powder Is still far above
q peace level.
Trim steAl a Little.
Announcement was made through
the press few days ago that the
government Industrial board and
the steel committee had reach
ed an agreement after pro-
longed conference which would result
in a substantial reduction in the price
of steel products. effective March 70
In general terms it is understood that
this reduction will amount to 12k pei
cent, but owing to increased freight
rates it is probable it means not more
than per cent laid down in this dis
trict. Some of the products that af-
feet consumers in this district are pie
iron, structural steel, steel plates, stee
bars, galvanized sheets and wire nails
1t is learned that the new prices fixet
will prevail for the remainder Of thu
year, although 1t is possible that con
ditions may force another reduction
during the period.
Further encouragement In the mat
ter of reduced prices is contained II
,the announcement that the industria
board of the government is now II
conference with representatives o
coal. cement, building hardwood. box
. board and glass industries, which i
expected to result in reducing tn
prices of these commodities.