OCR Text |
Show CHEERFUL VIEW OF THE COPPER OUTPUT Are wo to expect another boom In copper? cop-per? Havo tho advances scored during tho past few weeks placed prices on tho loftiest level attainable, or arc we to look for tho further development of strength? These aro questions being asked by hosts of consumers both on this and the other side of the Atlantic, and to which. In many Instances, apparently, replies aro being given In the affirmative. It Is not n matter for surprise that It should bo so, tho atrong features of the situation being vtjry conspicuous Just now, says the Commercial Com-mercial Bulletin of Bost" on Its editorial page. A glance at the statistical situation will readily explain our meaning. In this country coun-try the monthly production during the first quarter of the year Is believed to have aggregated about 2G.0C0 tons. Since tho dissolution of the Copper .Producers association accurato information as to tho, output la Impossible, but tho abovo estimate esti-mate Is thought to be liberal. Now, almost continuously since the beginning be-ginning of January consumers In Germany Ger-many and England havo displayed a llvo-ly llvo-ly Interest In tho markot, with tho result that since then wo have exported on an average 22.944 tons per month, or approximately approxi-mately twice as much as during tho corresponding cor-responding period in 1903. To predict tho duration and extent of this foreign demand de-mand is, of course, Impossible, but It would bo unsafe to count upon ita Immediate Im-mediate cessation. The homo consumption Is believed by conservative authorities to havo accounted account-ed during the past three months for at least IC.OiO tons per month, and there Is certulnly no good reason for expecting an early diminution. To sum up' We havo produced each month this year 2L600 ton3. and imported C50) tons, a totaV of 33.000 tons, while we havo sent abroad 12.944 tons, leaving for domestic use but 10,(60 Instead of tho lfi.000 tons required. If wo compare prices ruling' last month with those prevailing durtir March. 1903, we find the love! this to bo lower In 1903 tho average for lake was 14.572. while In 1904 It was 12.551. Now It Is 13.25 13.50. Havo the Increased exports this year moro than atoned for the decreased home consumption? Wo think they have. If wo are right, Is not a further advance In order? |