The Pioche record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1908-1925, 1921-11-25


modification of freight rates alone
would not suffice: that smelter
charges must come down 70 pre-war
figures, also. One man complains
that no real ground exists for like
rates to smelters from Tonopah and
Goldfeld; that the rate from Lun-
ing should be less than from Tono-
pah and Goldfield
One shipper stated that under the
present rates he can ship only selec-
ted ore at the rate of one ton per
day. He claims that with a more IA
vorable rate he could ship three tons,
also that it would be possible, under
favorable rate conditions, to increase
his output to fully one hundred tons
per day. One man who shipped if
teen dollar ore before the war claims
that he now must ship ore worth at
least thirty dollars in order to make
a profit. One shipper declares that
'the sooner we quit splitting with
the railroads the better it will be for
the mining industry" In several in
stances it was claimed that condi-
tions had necessitated changes to and
adoption of the cyanide process in
treatment of ores.
Mr.. Hallmark of the Southern Pa
cific, before the noon recess, wanted
to know If adjustments at this time
would insure substantial movement
of ores, declaring that the railroads
are as anxious as anyone for resump-
tion of shipping. He added that both
railroads and smelters wish adjust
ment on basis of quantity shipment
and production.
Mr.. Rivers counselled sticking to
the freight question at the confer
enCe, stating that going into smelter
and cyanide and other costs would
be covering too wide range.
E. H. Walker declared that the
principal question for discussion is
the matter of freight rates, remind
ing those present that neither the
public service commission of Neva-
da nor the interstate commerce com
mission have Jurisdiction over ele-
ments other than freight entering
into mining costs.
At the afternoon session, speaking
for the mine operators, Mr., Walker
expressed the belief that the time
has come for readjustments of rates
on ores and concentrates.
Mr.. j. c. Brumblay of the United
States Refining Cocpany explained
that his company in addition to op
Grating mines and smelters for treat
ment of their own ores also handle
custom ores. Large tonnage is
requisite, he claimed. He declared
that the traffic men are prone tt
look to war prices in fixing thei
rates, but declared that the high wa
prices are not to be expected. HI
looks for a slight advance in tn
price of copper when accumulate
large stocks have diminished an,
is making estimates on an expecte
copper price of-about fifteen cent
instead of the approximate price o
, thirteen cents at present. He ais
discussed lead and zinc prices an
. conditions affecting them. He show
: ed how freight rates affect smeltin
charges becauses of the need of NOV
ing coke and limestone to the SINE
ter.
In answer to questions Mr.. Brun
= blay stated that due in large measur
to the twenty-five per cent freigf
! rate increase the smelling operation
e of his company had been reduce
4 from seven to three furnaces. Tt
= loss in purely custom ores has bee
e in even greater proportion, he d.
v clared One furnice is now used c
!, Nevada ores, he said, in contrast
= three before rates were as high. Di
g continuance Of shipping daily 2C
- tons from the Ruby Hill mine in tt
4 Eureka district to his smelter WI
d principally due to the freight stu
y ton, Mr.. Brumblay stated.
Bearing out Mr.. Brumblay's stat
ID ment that the smelters have giv'
VI the shipper the benefit Of recession
81 in costs, e. c. d. Marriage Of Piocl
~ declared that the smelling rates
a. present are largely the same as VIII
he began shipping number of yea
ago. He declared that the thir
shippers with whom he has been 8
ISOLATED are satisfied with smelt
charges, but that railroad rates ha
killed the game" Figures showil
decrease Of shipped tonnage fro
1000 to S07 over stated peri
were given.
Il Mining Engineer Snyder. also
Phoebe, pictured the operations