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Show ZINC HET IS LIKELY TO STICK Big Increase in Consumption and no Gain in Number of Furnaces. OPINION OF THE EXPERT Five Thousand Tons Spelter Imported Recently From Far. Off Germany. Utah zinc producers who failed to have a talk with E. W. Keith of tho Empire Zinc company of Denver before Ids departure de-parture yesterday noon for the cost missed an opportunity to hear some very optimistic remarks upon the probable market nctlon of spelter for a considcra- j bio period to come. It would have been j a good lliing. too, If many Utah producers produc-ers of lead, who aro satisfied to permit the question of compiling statistics of production to ward off any tinkering with t lie metal tariff by congress to drag without attention, could have scon him and gone over the lead tariff situation with him, for Mr. Keith does not believe that wo need a tariff on either lead or zinc, and ho is provided with abundant llgurca and reasons showing why his contention, con-tention, in Ills judgment, is correct. Outlook Gratifying. Mr. Keith's business la handling ::lrio ores among oilier things, and he i one of the many who have made Utah numerous numer-ous visits during tho past few months in the nttcmpt to encourage -ihe production of such oro within thia state. When seen by The Tribune yesterday he asserted It to be his belief that we aro not going to expriicncc any very pronounced drop in spelter prices, the outlook bolnc extremely ex-tremely gratifying from the standpoint of I lie spelter producer. CoiiMumpiion during 1912. he stated, bids fair to exceed that of 1911 by at least 50.000 tons. Tho smelting capacity has the appearance of being increased by the end of the year, but furnaces now In operation in the gas belt will bo discontinued dis-continued tn some extent, so .hal the Increase In-crease In the number of new furnaccn will about balance the number dosed. Manufacturers are crowded with orders and thev likewise aro crowded, to secure an adequate quantity of the metal so much so that several weeks ago there were 5000 tons of spelter imported from Oerniaiiv. TIiIk importation served ap-pnrentlv ap-pnrentlv lo break the price of spelter about 20 cents on the hundred pounds. Utah Zinc Production. There was no need of asking Mr. Keith for his opinion regarding the usefulness of Utah as a zinc producer. HIh visits to this state incldato the Importance of Utah in a spelter way and the .shipments being made bv a number i' Tintle prop-crllc.s prop-crllc.s in themselves sue eloquent enough. It Is very llkclv that a number of new zinc producers of Utah will appear before the dose of the year. |