The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1919-01-02
THE NEW YEAR AND THE MIN
ING INDUSTRY.

While the statesmen of the allied
nations are engaged in solving the
questions growing out or
the world war and which will ultim-
ately find expression in the terms OF
peace, the New Year finds the people
of the United States facing period OF
business uncertainty due to condi-
tons growing out of the war and
which may continue until the peace
terms are finally ratified. But there
are influences at work which should
and we believe will clarity the indus
trial atmosphere to great extent be-
fore the work OF the peace council is
completed and accepted by the nations
of the world. 1t Is inconceivable that
the great Industrial enterprises of this
country will remain inactive, that pro-
ductive labor will not be provided for
the returning soldiers, or that capital
will long hesitate In returning to
peaceful pursuits. The great war
from which we have just emerged
has not weakened our national
strength, but rather has proved our
Unlimited material and financial re-
sources. while our foreign commerce
may and probably will be restricted
for a time due to the inability Of other
nations to absorb our goods, the home
demand Is growing more pressing
every day and calls for readjustment
to peace basis which will permit the
resumption in all lines of business ac-
tivity The situation is not one to be
remedied by governmental action, ex-
cept to the extent of Withdrawing
governmental interference in private
business affairs. Left alone the high
prices which were the outgrowth OF
the war will gradually adjust them
selves on a new level, probably not so
low as before the war, but upon ba-
sis that will insure prosperity to all
the people.
Perhaps no industry has been more
directly affected by the termination OF
the war than that of mining. Fol
nearly four years the demands of wal
maintained prices for lead. zinc ant
copper at figures unknown before anc
with the exception of zinc there was
no surplus production. The signing
of the armistice changed this almost
in the twinkling Of an eye, Metal pro-
ducers suddenly found themselves no
only without war market, but with
out a peace market. Successive cuts
in the prices did not induce buying
for the industrial demands wait upor
the inevitable REIMBURSEMENT of prices
of all commodities and wages. ant
until this is brought about little
change can be expected in the meta
situation.
The people Of the Occur d'Alene dis
trict are particularly concerned in thu
lead market, and the New Year finds
them in a rather apprehensive mood
The situation is not essentially diff
ferent from that which was predicted
during the war. We looked forward
to period of depression following th'
war, and now that we have realized
our expectations, we should look for
ward with confidence to the restora
ton of normal conditions in which
the mining industry will come in fol
a full share of prosperity. A few
months will probably bring tina
about. In the meantime the Minel
greets its readers with the most cor
dial good wishes on this New Yea
day. Viewed from every standpoint
we believe the Occur d'Alene is thu
best mining district on earth, and i
In the dawn of this momentous new
year a cloud has obscured the sunligh
of our prosperity. 1t is well to recall
the time honored adage regarding III
silver lining and look forward to
future that looms up bigger ant
brighter than ever before.
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