The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1919-05-29


the standpoint OF metal prices
and in the labor supply. Whe-
ther this is u permanent change and
marks the beginning OF steady I'M
pl lovement until normal conditions are
restored, or is merely temporary and
without substantial support, remains
to be seen. Predictions are not safe
at time when there are so many
conflicting influences affecting the
industries of the country. During the
past week considerable number of
men have come to the district seeking
employment in the mines, which 1t Is
believed to be directly due to the re-
cent advance of so cents per day In
wages The number of course Is
small, compared with the needs of the
mines Some of the recent arrivals
came from the mining sections OF CAL
ifornia, where the wages are much
lower than here, and 1t Is believed
that others will follow to an extent
that will materially relieve the labor
situation Another factor that may
| further help the labor situation at an
early date is the possible action or the
department of labor. 1T was learned
this week that information had been
called for by the bureau of mines re-
garding the labor situation here and
the probable number of men required,
from which it is inferred that efforts
will be made through the department
Of labor to supply the shortage.
Metal Prices Stronger.
The advance in the price of silver
has been followed by a stronger de-
mand for lead, zinc and copper, and
as result the prices of these metals
have advanced materially. Reviewing
/. the metal market for the week ending
May 21, the Engineering and Mining
Journal says:
"This week was noteworthy for fur
ther sharp advances in copper, LEAD
and zinc, and the transaction Of large
business in each Of these metals. but
particularly in copper.
: "The furry in silver passed away,
? and the price relapsed. The causes
for the recent advance centered In
, London, in which market there was
5 buying for coinage purposes and spec
ulative short covering. The orient
r was not buyer. A recent event that
f has passed without notice was the
1 raising by the Indian government OF
! the value of the rupee from 1Sd. to
god. If the Indian government could
= previously be a buyer of silver at
about 81 per ounce, apparently 1t Is In
position to buy nov at an advance
/. OF about 10 per cent without disturb
e ing exchanges.
/. Lead.
t 'In our report of last week we re-
/, corded the firmer tendency In lead
even then exhibited by advanced quo
tations. This resulted primarily from
increased demand for the metal Tht
largest producers had been standint
IS aloof leaving the market to the res
of the producers, some of whom LEI
l. the way in depressing prices by thei
er offerings so long as demand was dull
ID With improving demand, they chang
'r ed their minds, and, Withdrawing thei
l. pressure, the price advanced quickly
J. However, there was not general ac
IN ouaintance with the situation an
s' some large business was accepted D
J. one or more producers on Friday NOR
a ming at &C., just before the A. 5. Il +
cn Co. raised it's price to 5.1Oc. On Ma
ct 10 the A, s. & r. Co. again raised
u SIC. and has sold freely at that pric
i'll although other producers have asked
on little more and have obtained 1t
ad some small business. A contributor
es factor to the advance was probabl
r. the feeling that such lead as Is sti
he held by the government would case
eW be a menace.
'th "Business in lead this week attaint
lte considerable proportions. The mani
ng facturers of blue lead products we
his large buyers, and some purchas
an we're made by cable manufactures
The consumption of lead by the co
vii -odsrs has been pretty good rig
IN along.
les "The situation with respect to Me
di ican lead has been relieved by sor
will substantial sales for export.
at Zinc.
"This market advanced sharr
na rt1v on speculatiye buying and pal