Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-06-16

The taking over of the American
Brass company by the Anaconda Cop
per Mining company was directly due
to the wG.ld war. according to an
article recently published by W. c.
KELLEY of Butte, editor of the Western
Tourist, in the June number of that
magazine.
The article is Il resume of the con-
ditions in the industry following the
war. 1t follows:
IF it had not been for the world
mating of the Anaconda Copper and
the American Brass companies might
never have happened.
Not to the arts of the alchemists.
but rather to economic world forces.
is the union of these great enterprises
inI,bted.
Decided on ArmIstice Day
THE formula that achieved the
~transmutation of $4,000 Anaconda and
1900 of the American Brass share
with their gaze fixed upon the gold
tipped horizon of potential dividends,
bears the date of November II, 1918.
From August, 1914, until Armistice
day, 1918, 90 per cent of Americas
copper output had been steadily com
Wandered by the warning nations for
munitions. From the spring of 1917
to the fall of 1918, Americas copper
mines we're operated virtually as an
arm of the United States war and navy
departments. Meanwhile, with the
withdrawal of copper from the com
mercial markets, all kinds of lsubsti-
tutes for the everlasting metal luxuri-
ated in the unexpected profits accruing
from a hitherto unknown and ever
expanding market. With the coming
demands. the American producers
found themselves with 100000 900
pounds of excess copper on their hands
and on their books orders for only
4S,OOO.OOO pounds. To add to the
tragedy. on November II the secretary
of the navy cancelled an order for 3d.
OOO, 600 of these 4S,OO0.OOO pounds.
Copper Could Not Be Sold
per cent of Americas copper output
was exported. If the world had at
once resumed its normal activities and
international exchange had continued
to function, there would have been con
siderable loss, but catastrophe would
have beer avcrted.. Unfortunately, the
world did not remain normal. Ex-
change ceased to function. Markets
disappeared. Copper could not be SOLD.
even at a loss. Chaos ensued. In the |
face of an impossible situation the
mines at Butte, together with virtually
all other copper properties, were forced
to wait world rehabilitation. 1t deter
mined to do something to stimulate and
domestic consumption.
For some years the officers Of the
company had been convinced that the
large investment in mining, smelling.
~ouately protected; that SO long as the
producers had no contact with con
sumers, the entire. industry. lacked
those stabilizing factors SO essential
to continuity of employment and an
assured market.
Wire Mill Profitable Venture
establishment in 1913 of n rod and
wire mill at Great Falls. From the be
of operations. on June 9 of
hat year, to the end of 1921. the mill
lrew into rods and copper wire 1885,
5000 pounds of copper, which were
distributed at a manufacturing net
profit of $S50,OO0. When the mines
we're closed down in April, 1921. the
mill was sold ahead for many months.
md during virtually the entire period
If the shutdown the manufacture and
sale Of rods and wire were continued
1t a substantial manufacturing profit.
simultaneously. the Anaconda com
began an intensive study of the
copper manufacturing and fabrlcIting
situation-it learned that there are
hirty-two concerns of importance in
he United States whose combined
output exceeded annually 1900. 900, 900
Of copper. This capacity was
nore $1anstWieasas much as had ever
's:@ IS "a e Sd'fS S' 50 per- en-