The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1920-02-26
Thursday. February 20. 1920.
BELL AND PHOSPHATE DEPOSITS
OF IDAHO.

A news dispatch from Washington
last Sunday stated that the govern
ment is being urged to provide ship
for the transportation of phosphat,
rock from Idaho to Japan; that Am
erican companies have secured con-
tracts aggregating 100000 tons a yeai
to be supplied from Idaho mines. and
that with ample shipping facilities
provided the amount for foreign ship
ment can be largely increased. This
is an interesting piece of news for he
people Of Idaho for it means that at
last in spite of unjust freight rates
which prevent the Idaho phosphate
from entering te domestic market and
the pernicious conservation policy Of
the government which has discourage
ed private enterprise by withdrawing
phosphate land from entry, this vaIu-
able resource Of the state is to receive
attention, fact which inspires hope
that the barriers which have blocked
its development will soon be remov-
ed For this promising outlook for the
development of the phosphate fields Of
southeastern Idaho the greatest credit
must be given to Robert ~ Bell, in
spector of mines of the state Of Idaho
since 1902 with the exception of two
years. In his report for 1905 Mr. Bell
called attention to the discovery of
extensive beds of phosphate rock in
Bear Lake county and expressed the
opinion then that they are likely to
prove the basis of an extensive ana
profitable industry in this mineral.
which is one of the most desirable ele,
ments of high grade fertilizers" In
his subsequent reports without excep-
ton he discussed the growing impor,-
ance of the phosphate deposits of the
southeast as their extent became bet
ter known through development. and
through his own personal investiga-
tons and the Investigations made by
the United States geological survey.
In pointing out the value of phosphate
Mr. Bell discussed its chief use as
fertilizer in a manner which display
ed an intimate knowledge of agricul- |
ural methods hardly to be expected
n one whose life had been devoted to |
mining and associated lines of indus
ry He severely. though fairly. criti-
lied the policy of the government IN
these phosphate lands
rom entry, thus blocking development
trough private enterprise and at the
anne time playing into the hands of
he phosphate monopoly in the south
astern states controlled by foreign
tockholders. In short, Mr.. Bells re-
orts, together with other forms of
from his Office. are entitled
o the credit of bringing this great re-
ource of the state to public attention.
Tow that there is an actual demand
Dr. the product of this Idaho field. it is
oped that the obstacles which have
eretofore blocked its development
iii be removed and the state viii be
ermitted to enjoy the benefits
trough the development of what may
rove to be its greatest mineral re-
'urce These obstacles. as pointed d.
At by Mr. Bell in his reports. are the
ithdrawal Of phosphate lands from
TRY by the national government
rough a misconceived theory of con-
rvation, and the excessive freight g..
tie to Mississippi river points which
MOUNTS practically to an embargo on
ipments. In his report for 1917 he
axes the following estimate of the
tent Of the phosphate deposits of j.,
ar Lake county. based upon partial -.
rveys:
''The amount Of this mineral in
he partially surveyed area in
which it occurs in Idaho is estim- d
ited by the conservative findings co
If the United States geological ar
survey to aggregate upwards Of be
900. OOO,0 900 tons. an estimate that
will, think when the field is full
y surveyed in Idaho. total TO- "e
O.OOO. OOO." az
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