The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1919-01-09

SpectOr)
W XTREME shortage of available
- mine labor during 1918 in the
Idaho mining industry was the
cause of serious slump in the
metal production of this state, COM
pared to the preceding three years.
This shortage was particularly felt in
the Coeur d'Alene district which pro-
duces 30 per cent of the lead-silver and
zinc output of the state This district
had plenty Of available ore reserves to
work upon, due to a well established
advanced development policy, inaugu-
rated by the big mines several years
ago but it was impossible to get the
labor to get out the mineral with the
result the years output of the state
as a whole, shows decided decrease
in total yield, the aggregates OF which,
according to the best estimate at this
date, are shown above. The figures
in 1917 were closely Appropriated in
the two proceeding years of 1915 and
1916. The army drafts, enlistments
and war industries were directly re-
sponsible for this decided shortage of
available labor, which extended
through the whole range of employees
especially miners, timbermen, mechani-
cal and technical staffs.
Dead work development progress suf-
fered as result in the big mines and
new development enterprises were
largely at standstill due to the ex-
cessive cost of operation. This labor
shortage has been progressive since
the European war started and the big
mines Of the Coeur d'Alenes during that
period have been largely operated on
proven ore resources, which have
weathered through this severe and per-
sistent war draft handsomely. What
new work has been accomplished dur
ing the period has shown some mark
ed results in continued ore expansion
and deep seated permanency and III
some instances of expanding capacity
for ore production.
Lead Mining on Sound Basis.
With returning soldiers and the wal
industry workers, the labor situation
has materially eased up, but the rapid
ly falling market for lead bullion and
the apparent glut of metal, as a resul'
of the sudden termination OF war de-
mands, together with the still prevail
ing high operating costs, has cast
shadow Of blue gloom over the curren
status of the industry. df the recon
struction period Of the country at iarg'
to normal business conditions can b'
sanely accomplished, the Occur dAien'
district can continue to be relied upol
to maintain its high standard as pro
ducer of lead silver mineral for year
to come. The present high operating
costs, and the fact that lead Is meta
of relatively low market value at pes'
has necessitated some curtailment II
output, which is wise procedure un
der present upset business conditions
as to continue to push the metal o
the market will simply result in push
ing down the price to still lower Levels
The future of the metal. in my opin
ion, is sound. The world is short 9
lead for it's normal progress, as I'M
portant sources of lead ore are OF rare
occurrence in the world at large tina
those Of any of the other commo
commercial metals. One of the prif
cipal outlets for lead metal Is throug
the medium of paint pigments, whlc
purpose in normal times, absoros DC
tween 40 and so per cent of the ou'
put but for this purpose the lead oxio
has to be mixed with fairly rich Pre-
portion Of linseed oil, the price
which, at the present time, is almo
prohibitive and 700 or>SO per Gel
above normal. If this essential ass'
= ciated element of paint returns to
rational figure, the painting industl