Evening star., 1923-06-28

rfly say what the world price of sill
yer for the next twenty-four hours
shall be. 1t is fixed in British cur
rency, and, presumably, whenever oc-
casion demands, in British interests.
That is not unnatural or even rep
rehensible, as long as the silver pro-
ducers OF the world care to tolerate
London's domination. If there are
valid reasons for the perpetuation of
British control of the silver market
they will probably be advanced at
the Reno conference. There certain
ly will be urgent proposals that the
American republics shall take In
hand, in spirit of self -determina-
ton, the regulation of an industry
in which they are the main factors
Favors Gold Standard.
Senator Oddie is at great pains to
make plain that the Reno meeting
in no wise contemplates propagan-
da either at home or abroad for "bi-
metallism." He insists there is no
"16-to-1 business In the conference,
He himself is a confirmed Sound
money" man and foreshadows that
sentiment at Reno will favor the
maintenance of the gold standard
throughout the world.
Nevertheless" said Senator Oddie,
'theTe is legitimate occasion for PAN
american silver producers to eoun-
sci and confer on the state of the In
dustry. 1t is not in decay. but 1t GER
tainly is in decline.
The Reno conference aims to ar
rest that decline. Prices are alb
normally and inexcusably low. We
shall discuss ways and means of
popularizing the use of silver for
currency purposes in all countries,
particularly in lands other than the
United States. We need silver eX-
port association, organized on the
lines Of the Cotton Export Associa-
tion. It's task will be to keep an eye
n Y, n h;t,O- hot ic hnp 1iDG N
the world market. in order that sill
YER producers may shape their poll
cies accordingly.
Our principal aim. of course. is to
evolve conditions that will justify
greater output of silver. Our mines
today do not approximate maximum
producing capacity. To expand out
put on safe and sane lines is the
ultimate objective of the Reno con-
ference; Throughout the world. dur
have inflated their currencies with
raper issues. Silver coinage has
fallen into corresponding disuse and
disrepute.
As far as United States producers
are concerned-Nevada. Utah, Montana
and Idaho are our great silver states
they frankly aspire to a more close
ly-knit organization at Washington.
They want to be able to make the
voice of the industry felt in Congress
lhN no. lhey D64leNe lnaI
for them. as for others. there is
strength only in union. The one re
cent piece of silver legislation, the
Pittman act. was an emergency war
measure and even that. the silver
men claim. Is now being violated"
by hostile" Treasury.
Practical Mine Engineer.
Senator Oddie succeeded to the
Craftsmanship of the Senate gold and
silver commission after the death of
Senator Nicholson OF Colorado. He is
a practical silver mining engineer,
having been one Of the "locaters' OF
the famous Tonopah silver fields in
Nevada.
He is also president of the Wash
ington chapter of the American Insti-
tute of Mining and Metallurgical En-
gineers and will be the chairman of
the Senate committee on mines and
mining in the Sixty y-eighth Congress.
Senator Oddie intends advocating the
creation of a department of mines as
a cabinet office, declaring that the
mining industry is entitled to such
recognition because OF its paramount
Importance to American national well
fare.
iJoDy-irht 1929