Montana labor news., 1944-07-20
COPPER PRODUCTION
INCREASED in 1913

In 1913 copper withdrew from its posi-
ton as probably the outstanding critical
metal. according to the Bureau of Mines,
United States Department of the Interior,
and this change crowns with success the
efforts of government, industry and
labor to bring supplies and essential re
quirements into virtual balance In
January 1914 copper was reduced from
Group I to Group II on the eleven h
Material Substitutions and Supply
List" which changed it from a material
whose supply was insufficient for essen
tial needs to one which was in approx
mate balance. The accomplishment Of
the main objective, however, left little
metal available for easing the limita-
tions on the use Of copper and copper
and the most essential civilian purposes.
Previous reports have outlined the
steps taken to achieve sufficient supplies
of copper for running the war, and to
hold consumption to a necessary mini
mum. On the whole the 1912 program
was continued in 1943 and additional
restrictive measures became effective.
For the most part, however, the peak of
government action, both Of an encour-
aging and of a restrictive nature had
passed. There was a tendency in the
last months of the year and early in
1914 to withdraw some of the limita-
tions on the used of copper and copper
alloys. In the main the relaxations af-
fected only highly essential civilian goods
where the use of copper provided a say
ing in manpoWer or where the use OF
substitute materials had proved imprac-
tical. In no case are the relaxation'
believe to have involved substantial ton
nages
The easier situation in the last quar-
ter of 194S was due in large part to the
cut-back in the small-arms ammunition
program. The program for substitution
on a substantial scale of steel for bras
in cartridge case manufacture was largely
abandoned at the end of 1949 after bras
capacities had been materially increased
and the Army's prompt return to th'
use of brass is significant.
The Army released 5000 men to cop
per mines in 194S, compared with 2,SO'
in 1912, in an endeavor to cope quickl.
with labor inadequacies The number
released were insufficient to offset tn
shift in labor away from mines, partl,
for Jobs that appeared to have a close
relationship to the war and partly 10
military service. Larger production il
1943 was possible, therefore, only becaus
of the operation of the greater capaci
ties at Morenci and Bagdad, Ariz., tn
starting of production at properties sucl
as the Castle Dome, Ariz Gray Eagle
Calf. the new tailings mill at Quincy
Mich, the Big Indian, Utah. Elizabeth
Vermont and Others.
Mine. smelter and refinery output
from domestic ores in 1943 were all
new peak rates by narrow margins owe
1912. Mine output, for example, was
per cent higher than in 1912. In rela
ton to the previous war period, 1851
and to the period of great industrial &C
tivity, 1925-29, the record is more III
pressive. The 1949 mine total was
per cent greater than the average fc
the earlier period and % per cent aoo'
that for the latter. During this perioc
, the quoted prices at New Work average
as follows: 1916-18, over 27 cene
1925-29, nearly Is cents; and 1924
| 1187h cents. Bopus payments improve
the 1942-43 average from the points