Show SMELTER SITUATION IN MONTANA the smelter situation in montana has reached an acute stage and because of this the mining industry of the state is practically paralyzed the recent decline in metal quotations has been detrimental to the interests of operators but the straw that is breaking the backs of mine owners is the prohibitive treatment charges made by custom smelters shelters sm elters and these charges are so severe so unjust as to call forth a most vehement protest from ore producers As a matter of fact about the only custom smelter operating in montana is the plant of the american smelting smelling Sm elting Ref refining filing company at east helena and a dispatch from that section states that the mining operators of the state are very bitter against this company and so strong is this feeling that it is claimed the mining men of the state may ask the governor to call an extra session of the legislature it being possible that state aid may be asked for the building of an independent custom smelter in utah a great deal of complaint has been made because of the arbitrary and excessive charges being made by the american company but in montana minin mining men declare that under the new rates ore running from 10 to 25 a ton is actually mined at a loss whereas if the charges were reasonable 7 ore could be handled at a profit the rates at the east helena plant are charges to be the most excessive and exorbitant or at any custom plant in the united states and are from to per cent higher only on iron ore does the east helena plant make a fair rate the operators declare I 1 and this is because the iron bron is badly needed for fluxing flexing to smelt the ores which abound in the state under salt lake rates this kind of ore would be treated for 4 a ton it is said under the old butte rates between 5 and 6 a ton and under the new east helena rates will be treated at 1950 a ton sulphide ores carrying arsenic which are not wanted at east helena will be handled for 27 a ton at salt lake at these figures it is said are taken from actual ore shipments As stated slated in the last issue of the mining review the only relief from these exorbitant and excessive sni smelter elter charges is competition to create this competition a movement is on foot to establish independent custom smelters shelters sm elters in utah nevada and montana the establishment of such plants may bring 1 I smelting smelling sm elting charges down to a fair and equitable basis but the question now arises is where will the independent smelters shelters sm elters get off they can handle the ore and make bullion and matte but where can they find a market for the same all or nearly all of the refineries in the united states are in tile the hands of the trust and w when hen the independent smelters shelters sm elters are ready to market their product they will be as much up against a serious problem as were the mine owners when they were confronted by excessive smelting smelling sm elting charges in the selling of their ore independent custom smelters shelters sm elters will be of benefit to the mine owner but independent refineries should be built as well and if a state can assist in establishing custom smelters shelters sm elters it should also put in refineries and then the national government should be requested to establish metal selling agencies so that the thralldom of the trusts can call be shaken off and the mining industry freed from incubus that is threatening its very existence |