Pueblo chieftain., 1921-04-20
The Collapse Of Metal Mining

The action of the Colorado assembly in providing
fund for the restoration of the metal mining industry
in this state will be commended by those who under
stand the Importance of this industry the general
welfare of this state its present deplorable condition.
and the fact that the collapse of this industry is due
to that might have been controlled avoided.
1t must be recognized, however, that these causes
arc neither simple few and the restoration of metal
mining Colorado is to be accomplished by any of
the many simple remedies that have been proposed 1t
will require the action both of the federal government
and of the state and it will also require the
time necessary TO build up new industry under new
conditions the effect of which become mmedi
atcly effective
In the first place let it be clearly understood that
the idea that Colorado deposits have been exhaust
ed not only false but utterly preposterous 1t is true
that there shortage of certain kinds of at the
smeters, and it is also true that well known ore
bodies have been exhausted But there mincralzcd
districts in Colorado that have not been developed
thoroly prospected Such counties Custer Ptkn
Mineral, Hinsdae, San Miguel, and others that might
be easily named, known to contain large bodies of
ore probably good as any that have been worked in
this state.
Nor there sufficient establish the theory
that the needs of the nation for metals, such
found in Colorado adequately b, supplies that
may he had to better advantage from other
That is true to extent, and it is the obstacle
that cannot be removed. But it is also true that this
is not the only the principal why Colo
RADIO metal mines are not being worked
First in order of time, if not of Importance is the
deadly blow struck against mining promoters by acts of
congress- interpreted and enforced by federal agents in
SUCH way to make it practically impossible to
promote to advertise prospecting company.
1t is true that there has always been a vast amount
of fraud IN speculative mining, and by these laws
crooks have been sent to Jail. and the easy money of
lambs has been diverted to other channels where other
crooks have had their fill of it.
But admitting all that has been said of the evils
Of wildcat mining and of the benefit these restrictive
postal and other laws the fact remains that metal
ing, in its carly stages, must be highly speculative
business IN which both the risks of loss and the chances
Of gain arc large. In closing the mails willful
frauds, these laws have made ;mpossiblc promotion
schemes which the instruments for getting
capital for mining development.
Another deadly blow against the metal mining in
dustry is aat provision of the profits law which
taxes the mining output of year without regard to
the expenses of former that necessary to OBJ
tain the present production The only possible reward
for the slow process of prosPectin. and development
must come in future production and confscatory taxa
on removes the prospect that makes Investment atrac
tive
Still another causc OF metal mining depression in
Colorado to be found in the unfortunate political
record, which has doubt upon the ability or the
willingness of the people of this state to protect the
rights of and of property in the mining districts
From the time when representative of the state GOV
ernmcnt reported officially that he had found the
miners of certain district in peaceful possession of
the property of the mine owner mp the time when