The people's voice., 1958-09-05

basic domestic metal mining industry.
Senator Murray put it this way in a
speech on the floor of the Senate:
'The Office of Defense Mobilization
has informed us that there is ample room
in the national stockpile for the 100000
tons of copper which would have been
purchased by the government under the
authorization in the bill.
''The President has held up approving
the Tariff Commission recommendations
TO increase tariffs for lead and zinc on
the assumption that (this bill) would
pass the Congress. He also vetoed the
bill which would have extended for
year Public Law 733 strategic minerals
purchase program) on the same aSSump-
tion."
Congressman Metcalf has telegraphed
the President that with defeat of the bill
the ''fate of this nations basic metal
mining industry is once more in your
hands," Metcalf urged the President to
buy at least 100000 tons of copper for
the defense Stockpile and to approve a
four-monthS-old Tariff Commission rec
ommendation for increased tariffs on
imported lead and zinc.
In letter to Deputy Under Secretary
of State for Economic Affairs, c. Doug
las Dillon, Senator Mansfield proposed
''that the Administration announce a pro-
gram to purchase 100000 tons of re-
fined copper at price not to exceed
IT'S cents per pound" The senator
stressed the very seriousness of the Situ-
alton and expressed the belief that such
program would be in the best interests
of the government and that it could be
done without any loss TO the government
but, instead, a profit to it.
AS coSponsored by Montanans in Con-
greSs, the bill would have authorized fed
eral Stockpiling of enough refined copper
to take up the surplus which hangs over
the market, depressing it; paid domestic
producers of lead, zinc, tungsten and
flouSspar the difference between what |
they got for their production on the open |
market and the agreed-upon fair price, |
and provided incentive payments designed |
to maintain at least some domestic pro-
duction of beryl, chromite and colum-
bian-t -tantaium.
For three days, Metcalf defended the
bill on the floor of the House.
Opponents argued that the copper pur-
chase program was only relief bill for
a handful of big mining companies which
import as we'll as produce minerals, this
country has plenty of the minerals in
volved, and that unemployment in the
mines is small. In reply Metcalf read
into the record kilograms from:
The Mining Association of Montana.
Manager w. G. Maloney of
Butte, said that unless the bill were
passed, Montana will be able to count
its basic metal producers on the fingers
Of one hand.
Silver Bow County Board of County
Commissioners. They reported that the
county relief load is up 10 TO II times
over last year as the jobleSS exhaust
heir unemployment compensation bene-
its. They warned that unless the bill
passed, mining communities such as ours
ace the possibility of becoming ghost
owns"
Butte Miners Union No. | Recording
Secretary Barney Rask told of 70 per
,ent reduction in employment in the
mines since January 1887 II
Pete Antonioli, who said he had to
ease mining lead and zinc from his
properties because of low
prices.
Metcalf argued that most of the cop
,er imported just comes into this coun-
ry for refining and is shipped to the
European markets after providing pay
oils at treatment plants. He pointed out
hat the increasing demand for copper
will exceed the supply within a few years.
After the fight on the House floor
vas over Metcalf noted ruefully that
Democrats "voted with us 2-to-l, Re
,ublicans voted against us 2-to-l."
Senator Mansfield has also appealed
gain to the Office of Defense and Civil
an Mobilization in behalf of the man.
.anese situation in Montana. He re-
Emphasized the extreme situation which
xists in Butte relative to unemploy-
nent in this particular industry and the
eed to make the government mangan-
CO e+ockr;Ia more valuable The senator