Show I COPPER PRODUCTION f fIN 1 t IN ARIZONA IS I NOW NORMAL Operators in Neighboring State Anticipate Government Government Govern Govern- ment Will Raise Price h Special Dispatch BISBEE Ariz May IS Copper Copper production production pro pro- in Arizona has a again aln reached normal Statements which havo have been circulated circulated cir cir- that production was only around 50 per cent correspond with other German Getman Get Ger man propaganda finding currency In different different different dif dif- dif dif- ferent parts of tho the country for purposes of or discouragement emen t. t Even during the height of or the tho strike J J S period of last year ear Arizona production did not fall to 50 0 per cent of or normal at no notime notime time during the iho present year ear has it been below 90 00 per cent of or the output of or the tha first months of or 1917 In which the state scored the top records In Its copper pro pro- career t Present outlook i la Is that by tho the middle ll llor of or the tile year car barring unforeseen difficulties tics ties In securing fuel or other supplies tho the copper producers of or tho state v. will have Q re retched reached ched materially above the best performances per per- In 1917 This promise of or bigger production contemplates con eon templates a higher metal price and t the higher wages which copper producers wilt will gladly 1 pay par the minute they are arc enabled I to lo do so With a higher r wage scale they will be able to get back some of or the I skilled men whom the they havo have lost In comI competition com com- t. t I I petition with the Iho government o contracts I They will also profit from the easier situation sit all of or their men will feel with moro more mone money In their pockets to meet the hl higher h r costs of or living hiving These things s will help bell Increase the output as will also and antI vc very materially the return of many small mines to pro and the enabling of man many more of or the smaller properties to to get back brck to full Cull forces from the reduced shifts with which they the have been working simply in order to beep Keep going until price should advance Little doubt Is Ig expressed that the war industries board will wilt increase the price of or copper to at least 25 23 cents and possibly possibly bly higher Entering Entering- into the matter are arc tho the representations as to living costs cost in the mining districts by both operators and operatives the high cost of supplies of all kinds g for the conduct of or mining milling and smelting additional cost that I clan dally daily accrues in various ways through delays In transportation higher Interest charges etc and the fact that both copper cop per refineries and smelters are operating I at a loss on most of their contracts Should they annul these and substitute new treatment prices which would enable them to make a profit the producers could not meet the Increased cost In n mo ml most t Instances and an would be obliged to dose close Ij down |