The Pioche record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1908-1925, 1920-10-08
Mining men TALK
ON FREIGHT RATE

A meeting OF ore producers and min
ing men of the Phoebe district took
place last Saturday evening to discuss
the efforts Of the raise Of freight
rates ON the mineral industry Of tho
district.
The meeting. which WAS held In the
Commercial Club rooms. was largely
attended every seat being niied. Dis-
trict Attorney A. T.. Scott called the
meeting to order At eight o'clock and
brifly explained the situation and the
need of cooperation to meet the situ-
alton. Following chairman Scott. r.
H. Synder. one of the largest shippers
In the district. explained the situation
In clear and conservative manner-s
having been present 1T the meeting
held In Salt Lake City on September
2srd. he was naturally conversant with
all the details of the situation from the
railroad. smelter and shippers view-
point.
The Salt Lake Railroad. over which
all Pioche shipments pass to the Utah
s,nelters apparently believes that
should they give assurances that the
low grade ores will he taken care OF
at the old rates, no falling on the
tonnage OF higher grade ores will be
experienced by their road. as In their
idea. the higher grade ores broadly
speaking. are sorted from the low
grade materials and shipped separately
to market. and ~ they say. I'VE ret u
anyway" ~
To correct this most false imprsS-
sion and put before the railroad COM
pany the true status Of the situation.
II was apparent to those present that
all shippers Of ore and those preparing
to ship should furnish . report and
afhdavit Of the results and details OF
their operations; analysis Of such re-
port should result in the co-operation
OF the Salt Lake route In fostering
and making possible . continuance OF
such leasing and mining operation.
without which cooperation In the way
Of lowred rates.the industry il doomed
. tolanguish and eventually cease Alto
, gether.
The mining industry can help the
railroads to develop the mining dis
trtcts. The Pioche district has sup-
j piled the Salt Lake route for . number
OF years with an average of about SIS
tons Of ore daily to the Utah smelters
. and unless cooperation and lowered
I rates are granted an immediate re-
duction of tonnage Of outgoing freight
o coupled with the great reduction In
n railraod revenues. caused BY decreased
: incoming suppliss. II Inevitable ana In
few months lavies of development
4 funds and depletion Of reserves will
i kill the industry completely.
n Realization of this condition based
4 upon the facts and figures submitted
a should result In the granting of low
h cred rates and mutual benefit to all.
II While 1t il conceded that the price
. Of metarils has aided the mining in
- dustry. 1t Is also a known fact that the
h cost Of mining supplies and all materi-
= ais incidental to the extraction OF ore
: and the development Of same prior to
n extraction. has more than Offset this
. Increased price and 1t is only in in
n creased production. fostered by the
20 co-operation Of the railroads, that the
= mineral industry Of the west can bs
built up and the eventual stabilizati0r
, OF all industry secured. Decreased
10 mineral production means increased
"a smelling cost. means the postponemen
4 of lower metal prices and the preserv
IN ing of false basis which will OF III
a own. overbalanced condition. crasl
ha with resultant destruction.
ys A number Of constructive sugges
x tions and inquiries were brought VI
ar later by those present. among whicl
~ was the possible alternatives whicl
"a could result should the railroad otfic
~ ials not be disposed to give the matte
IA fair consideratin and consequent RELIEF
.as Among the possible solutions wa
'or the building Of stamping mill at tn
Phoebe depot and mechanical mixin
-. Ct the ores to take every possible ad
:, vantage Of the existing rates an
10 again by pooling tonnage on contract
ss Interesting data was brought out Q
no the question Of the effect OF faisin
&c the minimum car load weight and
~ was felt that should this help the 81
~ uation from the railroad standpoil
81 shippers could conform themselves
this regulation.
.f The old argument of the addition
ka cost OF carrying the high grade o
"a with possible loss to be borne by Il
as railroad was answered by the appare
80 rediness Of. insurance companies
~ cover this risk.
er. p1SSoHe - eHo HottH
- stated one miner supports five peop
|, to .uss Anu - - oSiuo
sed Ao soau 'nahes money Do
49, ways-coming and going.
onr The meeting adjourned at q ID
~ hour following the unanimous passa
Of motion pledging the co-operati
OF all those present to give such da
as will be necessary for the pror
presentation Of the true situation frt
shippers standpoint to the onlci,
no of the Salt Lake route.