Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1922-05-25

get very favorable prices for thei
products this year. Their position will
also be strengthened by reduced oper
ating expenses and by avoiding specu
lation.
MINING DULL IN 1921
"The mining situation was exceed
ingly dull throughout 1921. The cop
per mines of Utah and Arizona have
\ been almost completely shut down
while the lead, silver and other mines
have been running at a very low ebb
| The only activity has been in the Goa
and iron sections of Colorado, due To
the persistent operation of the Colo
RADIO Fuel and Iron company. Today
there is not on hand the tremendous
stock of copper that there was a
| year ago. l really believe that the
copper situation has turned the cor
ner and am bullish both ON the price
of the metal and the price of the good
copper stocks.
''Zinc and lead have not progressed
so far in readjustment as copper. Gold
production is at very low level on
account of the small purchasing power
of the metal in terms of other commO-
dities. Favorable congressional action,
in the form of a bonus, may help the
gold producers, but this is problemati
cal The silver situation is much bet
ter, owing to sustaining influence of
the Pittman act. which provides for
the purchase of 271 100000 ounces of
new domestic silver at one dollar an
ounce, to replace a similar amount in
silver dollars melted down during the
war. 1t will take several years to
complete these purchases. Most pro-
ducers obtain silver as a by-product of
copper, gold, lead, and zinc. Hence
the favorable factors surrounding sill
yer viii be overshadowed in most
cases by the weakness in other metals.
NEW MEXICO, ARIZONA, BAD
"The worst conditions are found to
be in Arizona and New Mexico. Man
ufacturers and merchants cannot ex
pect to sell many goods in these states
during 1929. All money which these
people get they must use for paying
their bills. Being director of a
very large land company operating in
these states, l know that many of
these stock raisers have not the funds
with which to pay for the rent of
that these men will not save money
made great profits only a few years
ago. However, the only business
thing to do is to extend credit to |
these people. They come up quickly !
as they go down quickly. They some
day will be making money again and |
will Loyalty remember those who have |
been lenient to them during this. per
iod of stress. Moreover, the condition
of the range is fair and 1929 may be !;
a good rainy year.
cone of the important industries of
the mountain states is numbering. Like
mining and stockraising, however,
also is very dull. There
has been a great drop in the price of
lumber at the mill like the price of
everything else. There is no immedi-
,te outlook for higher lumber prices
The lumber people, however, are great
y reducing their operating expenses.
labor has been cut 30 percent in many II
ections and the efficiency of the men
$ much greater. the bolshevist
lement which so upset the camps
ew years has largely subsidized. The s
ntire labor situation has greatly !
improved. Building, however, will 4
lex up and the demand for lumber s
yill increase. More lumber should be
old in 1922 than was sold in 1921.
Ience, lumber people should keep s
heir organizations together and not {
ct discouraged. One thing is GER
lin, timber is growing all the time
his means that the tracts will grad 5
ally become more valuable. Every L
me | take a trip throughout the n
ountry | am astonished at the fewer :
nd fewer forests that remain. I
OIL BRINGS PROSPERITY {
"The brightest spots are those e
'ctions where oil is being found. In s
early all these mountain states there I
-e certain sections where oil develop n
ents either exist or are contemplated. s
he very act of boring for oil creates Z
temporary prosperity As people q
me into the territory a demand for s.
pplies and labor is created while a y
neral optimism prevades the com q
unity. If oil is finally discovered ri
is means a real new source of =
ealth. These towns where oil develop U
ents are being carried on are the Si
20 Chdt statesmen SDOuld seek. For 6!
is reason Texas, Oklahoma, and ad u
ming territory were for some time HI
e most prosperous of the southern, 81
stern or mountain states. OF course 9
en- in these oil communities money iT
not being spent today as it was -
couple of years ago. They are now vi
ying Dodge cars instead of Pierce u!
rows. But the oil is still coming ~
of the ground, cash is paid for the 81
'duct, and there is no distress ex- lIl
'ting among spectators who deserve ~
2I
One cannot help but be optimistic Us
this country, considering the won. hJr
-ful undeveloped water power re- ~
Irces. Many sales managers would 966
interested in securing from the UG
ORAL nOMer commission in Wnsh;n.. IN