Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-12
THE HUNT FOR GOLD
BY FREDERIC J. HlSKIN.

The greatest gold fever in the history
Of the world is rising higher with each
month and the search for the yellow
metal becomes more eager. Past pc
RODS in the worlds history in which
special notice has been given to gold
have been marked by important new
discoveries. These have been followed
by gold rushes, the headlong dash of
adventurous souls to the suspected
sources of gold supply. The fever has
been precipitated by discovery.
The difference today is that while
there has been no especially notable
fresh find Of gold, the gold fever Is
mounting because Of an unprecedented
demand. Responsive to this, men every
where are on the alert for raw gold.
Since men have traded or worn orna-
ments, gold has been sought. King Solo,
mons Mines were exploited in q gold
fever. Columbus procured backing for
his voyages in the belief that he would
find the way to the geld Of the Indies.
The Conquistadores secured America in
search Of the tabled FL Dorado and
ManaoS. The expedition sent by Sir
by the hunt for gold. Hidden treasures
CT gold have lured all ages of mankind
and known treasures have tempted men
to break through the strongest defenses
to rob and to commit piracies. Through
long ages, the scientists Of an earlier
time sought the philosophers stone, the
touch Of which would transmute base
metals to gold. The ambition Of Midas
had to do with the precious metal.
Tales Of returned travellers, OF adj
ventures into far places, dreams and
visions, legends Of unknown antiquity
and origin, all have tempted men forth
from known securities to find gold. To-
days urge springs from a somewhat
different source. It has been prompted
by the economists.
To be sure, the desire for this main
spring of wealth is the same basic hu-
man desire, but 1t has been especially
stirred at this time because of the
preaching Of economists to the effect
that many of the worlds manifold Ills
are due to a gold shortage. A gold
shortage has been felt by every man in
the world save Midas. but that feeling
has been prompted by the hope that
sudden wealth would accrue from a
discovery. Today we are told by the
economists that much of the worlds
business depression with attendant I'M
employment is caused by the shortage
of gold.
Working Old Mines.
Earlier desires for gold have been
@nlivened by the wish of the individual
to have the good red metal in his hand
and to be able to exchange coins and
bars for the luxuries and the priceless
leisure of life. Each man has wanted
gold for himself. Now men are eager
that anybody at all find gold to the
end that business generally shall be bet
ter. He Is told, and apparently with
good cause, that II the worlds stock of
gold be increased, all business will I'M
prove. The individual, therefore, need
not long for the knowledge of q treasure
OF gold. the finding Of golden fleece or
a hidden mine for himself His gold
may be found in the form Of a steady,
wage-paying Job, brisk trade for his bus
mess, orders for his factory. Let any
one who can find the gold so long as it
is poured into the Golfers Of govern
ments and the channels of trade.
For such a reason gold IS being sought
as never before. Scarcely a week passes
but word comes Of some move some
where in the world to find new gold.
The location matters little. For exam
pie, 1t has just ben reported that a
mine in Czechoslovakia, which was
abandoned during the Napoleonic wars,
has been reopened. 1t had been flooded
in the troublous tim:S of the period and
no one since has wanted gold badly
enough to start the workings anew In
response to the modern gold fever. how
ever, the old mine has been reopened
and fresh machinery has been installed