The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1920-01-01

- opfISl N. saw
mine inspector, who spent a
~ part of the week in this dis
trict, places Idaho's metal out
put at the foregoing figures, based on
preliminary reports to his office from
the producing mines.
Inspector Bell is of the opinion that
the 1919 metal output will not total
more than so per cent of the produc-
ton of the year before. This he at
tributes to various circumstances.
More hindrances and obstacles pre-
sented themselves during the year
than during any year in the past ten,
all combining to check production.
Strikes, inefficiency and indifference
of mine labor, excessive costs of min
ing supplies, mounting wage demands
and for part of the year scarcity
Of labor brought about curtailment
of output which has its reflection in
the low production figures
The inspector was pleased to find
all the big mines we'll supplied with
labor at this time and with production
again approaching nearly normal ca
pacity, takes an optimistic view for
the future especially as the metal
markets show a strong upward tend
ency and the demand for metals on
the increase.
The strike situation, which gripped
the Occur d'Alenes during the sum
mer has been carefully studied by Mr.
Bell, who takes occasion to compli-
ment the Bunker Hill & Sullivan man
agement in being able to maintain its
crew and thus keep up production In
his opinion the give and take policy
appreciation of the human element
and community interest with a heart
in it, and the fact that the employees
of the Bunker Hill were largely mar
ried men, all tended to work together
in maintaining harmony at that prop
erty. This he considers fortunate, al
it saved the state from disastrous
slump in metal production.
Outstanding Features.
With relation to the outstanding
features of the industry in the Coeul
d'Alenes for the year; Mr.. Bell draws
attention to the expansion of ore bod
les at great depth in the big mines O
the district At the Bunker Hill th'
further extension of development O
the No. Is sub level, at a horizon
; more than a mile deep in the pitch o
the main ore channel where the i'm
mense ore shoots are being opened il
their normal volume and purity, Is al
item of extreme Importance with it
bearing on the permanency and per
sistency of the ore bodies Of the dis
trict at great depth.
Hecla's New Ore.
The new 2OOO-foot level at tn
Hecla mine also encountered it's or
iginal No. / ore body in its norma
clean silver-lead ore bearing condi
ton which promises several years ad
dtional life to the resources OF thi
property. This interesting deep de
velopment is also over 5000 feet yer
tically below the highest ore crest o
this mine The discovery of bi
faulted segment of the famous Inter
state Callahan zinc ore body was an
other notable occurrence Of the yea
and the expansion Of rich lead-silve
ore development in the Tamarack
Clusters deepest level was also re
corded At the Morning mine bi
:. slopes in normal ore conditions wer
! opened at the new 1000 sub level owe
: 1000 feet vertically below the highes
= ore crest of that great vein.
u New Ventilatng Methods.
II Completed installations Of new ven
. tilating methods, including expensiv
u direct air courses and big Sorroc
e type fans in both the Morning an
IL Bunker Hill & Sullivan mine hav
q proven of great economic value an
j greatly improved working condition
y for the men. The lowest drainage a
Is courses of both these properties al
through crosscut tunnels two mile
II long and natural gravity air circula
ton that proved inadequate owing
the rapidly expanding great depth
Is their sub levels. The present syste
i of ventilating these sub-levels M
> proven decidedly successful and Il
: Improvement in this respect Is grea
II " appreciated by the employees.
ai During the summer two unde
r ground fires occurred, both In aba'
vi doned slopes, at the Morning mil
es and at the Hercules mine which eau
III ed considerable grief and expense
III their control but more particular
n from settling COZ gases than any ot
81 er cause. These fires are both b
,ieved to have been of incendiary OF
gin and are now under control.
Idaho Continental.
Other items of lead-siiver ore