The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1919-02-27


low prices of metals have
combined to force the Con-
= = -solidated Interstate Callahan
Mining company to suspend produc-
tion This action was clearly indicat-
ed in the statement by John A. Perci-
val, president of the company, pub
lished in the Miner last week. At
that time it was expected that the
mine would continue in operation un-
til the meeting of the directors in
New York on March 3, but evidently
it was subsequently decided that
there was nothing to be gained by
further delay, so the order was issued
to close down without waiting for ac-
tion by the directors. About rs men
were laid off Tuesday, and the force
will continue to be reduced as rapid
ly as possible. BY Saturday, March
/, the suspension will be complete,
only enough men being retained to
keep the pumps going and otherwise
protect the mine while idle. A few
men will also be employed in making
certain changes in the mill. 1A round
figures the Interstate-Callahan en-
ploys about 300 men, and with the ex-
ceptions mentioned all of these will be
laid Off
Mine in Fine Condition.
In conversation with C. w. Newton,
manager of the Interstate callahan,
yesterday, he stated that the mine was
never in as good condition for produc-
ton, while the changes and improve
ments recently completed in the mill
have brought the plant up to the
highest point off efficiency. During
the present month shipments have av-
eraged 200 tons daily, and the amount
of lead produced during February is
double any previous monthly record
Last month the company produced l.
215,0O0 pounds of lead, which estab-
lished a new record. But the record
again goes over the top in February
with double the January production,
or 2,43O,0O0 pounds of lead. Mr.. New
ton has been giving special attention
during the past year to making inn
provements in the mill designed to
make a more perfect separation of the
lead and zinc and to securing a closer
recovery of both metals. In this he
has accomplished most satisfactory
results, and to this is chiefly due the
remarkable increase in the production
of lead, although there Is also a pro-
nounced increase in the amount OF
lead in the ore as compared with zinc.
Besides increasing the amount Of lead
for shipment, another important ad-
vantage gained by the improved
milling process is the practical elimin-
alton of lead from the zinc concen-
trates thus escaping the penalty i'm
posed by zinc smelters on account OF
lead content.
Exhaust Resources Without Profit.
But in spite of the fine condition OF
the mine, modern facilities for eco
nomic mining and highly efficient
milling plant, the Interstate Callahan
company finds it impossible to oFer'
ate profitably under present co1di.
tions. Confronted with this situation
the. company had the choice of depict
ing its splendid ore resources with
out hope of reasonable profit, OF
suspend operations altogether ant
wait until the readjustment Of the IN
dustrial affairs of the country war
rant a resumption. In discussing tn
action of the company in closinI
down, Mr.. Newton stated that Will
the prices of zinc and lead had fallel
to a peace basis, the cost of minin
remained practically the same
during the war illustrating this con
dition, he mentioned the price of pow
der. Before the war the price of pow
der in carload lots was around l
cents per pound. Although 1t hr
been almost four months since tn
war ended, the war price Of powde
has shown but slight decrease, tn
price being 22 cents per pound in car
load lots, almost double the normf
price. Drill steel is another exampl
Before the war it was 5k cents pc
pound, now it is IA cents. War wage
remain the same and the prices
practically all commodities that en-
ter into mining operations and tn
cost of living have not come dow
since the war, and in some cases the
have advanced. In contrast VII
these high figures, the prices OF zir
and lead have fallen practically to
peace basis. In other words, the pr