Gilpin observer., 1920-02-26
VIEWPOINTS OF INVESTORS
A New Order of Things in Color
ado Metal Mining.
(Arthur j. Haskin.)

Dack, ana 1T Will occupy as great
a place in Colorado's affairs as it
ever did. At the same time there
must be readjustment in the
general attitude of investors to-
ward this industry. There are
many persons who have been so
continually advised by financial
writers of the country to avoid
mining investments that they will
continue skeptical concerning
this basic industry until they, for
themselves after serious consid-
GRAFTON, can prove to their own
satisfaction that metal mining is
just as essential in our worlds af-
fairs as is any other industry.
that it has not been afflicted with
illegitimate promotions or fake
deals any more than have other
lines of business. Times have
changed. There is no longer any
more excuse for engaging in metal
mining with uncertainty of re-
suits than there is any other bus
mess. Mining is a legitimate bus
mess.
Hereafter in the financing of
mines we shall observe closer
attention to the advice of disin-
terested, experienced mining en-
gineers, men who make a profess
sion of passing Judgment upon
mining property and of furnish
ing protection to their investing
clients in precisely the same de-
gree that these same clients rely
upon their lawyers for protection
in other lines.
AS in all professions, there are
imposters and there are likewise
men who altho sincere, lack suf-
ficient experience and wide vision
to qualify them for the RESPONSE
bilities involved in most mining
deals that will arise in the near
future. Many good mining engin-
eers are always available. Their
fees are usually insignificant in
comparison with the value of
their reports. Many worthless
properties will be offered for sale.
The investor must be cautious.
Another feature that should be
emphasized in the revival of met
al mining in the west is encour-
agement to the common miner and
prospector. Whether or not the
prospector ever resumes his for
mer prestige, he will fulfill func-
tion in laboriously hunting for
outcroppings, in tracing float and
in performing hard labor to un-
cover formations in place in or
der to thus expose prospects for
inspection of the engineer who
will then critically investigate the
property in a broad, intelligent
manner.
l believe in reviving interest in
humble prospects. 1t is perhaps
bromide to state that all mines
began as prospects but neverthe-
less this thought deserves reflec-
tion when considering our sub
ject. A prospect can be purchas-
ed at low figure. 1t can be suf-
ficiently exploited to ascertain it's
true worth at comparatively little
expense. By making reasonably
conservative selection of pros
poets to start with, the chances
for success, | would say, are
about $3.50. Let there prevail
freedom to deal with the original
findings of mines. There are as
great potentialities in small mines
as in large ones, size being mere
ly matter of development. Do
not hold contempt for Begin
nings in mining. If there are diff
ferences between the attractions
in large and small mines, one
might perhaps find them in favor
of the small ones. Certainly they
can be acquired more cheaply and
much less ore has been removed
from them.
In selecting mining property.
first heed the presentations of the
discoverer, usually the prospector
or common miner. Give him
due measure for some intelligence.
hard effort and a general know
ledge of his region. If his rep
reservations appear to warrant
procedure, secure from him an
option. Then send an engineer
to investigate, being most careful
in the choice of this individual for
he must be possessed not only of
broad scientific knowledge, large