The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1922-08-24
MINES MAKE HOME MARKET FOR
FARM PRODUCTS.

For years the Miner has repeatedly
called attention to the direct value OF
the mining industry to the agricul-
thral interests of the state, and point
ed out that instead of fostering a
feeling of hostility toward the miner
the farmer should look upon him as
his best friend. There was a time not
so very many years ago when the
meeting of the legislature meant that
the mining industry of Idaho would
have to fight for its life against hos
tile legislation which always made its
appearance during the session, eman-
ating from the agricultural members
The cause of this hostility was prob
ably due to a misconception of min
ing operations People removed from
the mining section hear much of the
large profits derived from successful
mines. much of which goes to stock
holders outside the state, and without
considering and probably without
knowing anything about other and far
more important features of the indus
try, they seemed to be obsessed with
the idea that burdening the miner
with taxes was good business in that
it would keep money in the state that
would otherwise go to non-residents.
They overlooked the very essential
fact that most of the mines are de-
veloped by outside money and that |
overtaxation would simply kin the
goose that laid the golden egg. They |
also overlooked another fact that vast /
sums of this outside money was spent |
in development which returned no
profit to the investor while at the /
same time the state was the benef-
ciary through the distribution of the /
money through the payment of wages,
the payment of taxes and especially
in the purchase of supplies which in
cludes all manner of agricultural pro-
ducts. Even the productive mines,
those which pay the largest dividends.
leave far more money in the state
through these channels than they
take out in dividends to say nothing
of the large amount they contribute
in the form of taxes for the mainte-
nance of the state and county govern
ments, the support of schools, the
Of roads and other forms a
in which the public receives direct
benefit a
Evidence is not lacking that the ag-
ricultural interests are coming to have z
a better understanding of the mining
resources Of the state and that the $
farmer the stockman and the orchar-
dist are directly benefited by their u
development. The mines provide u
market throughout the year for their G.
product at prices better than can be ID
obtained by long shipments into com p
'VNAiNN hNiuas L HAT iutd IL TAKING
'oot among the farmers and there is "
less agitation for leg el
Station hostile TO the miner 1t is a ST
change. and indicates that p
dahoans whatever their occupation, al
ire coming to understand that the e'
advancement of one industry contrib
ties to the prosperity of all This is
he idea back of the following editor
al taken from the Nampa Leader
herald. published in rich agricm-
ural section of south Idaho:
Millions Of dollars come to Ida
no every year from our surplus
crops This produce for the most
part is shipped long distances. in
to competitive markets. paying
carrying charge Sometimes the
market conditions are such the
net profit is materially reduced;
and sometimes it looks like the
devil-redi
1T has been repeatedly observ-
ed that as home markets are ac-
tive so there is a stabilizing in
fluence and more profit. The
home absorption operates as an
equalizer. Its value is recognized
by all We all OF us do not func-
ton as we should to get the most
out of it, I
encouragement Of mining ex-
ploration and operation on the I
part of producers is one way to
increase our local markets Wher- I
ever there is mining there is add G
ed consumption. Everything 8