The Concentrator That Never Pounded

The sale of the concentrator and property of the Spokane Lead Mines Co. by the sheriff has been postponed. It had been scheduled for June 12, but on the evening of the 11th a restraining order was served on the sheriff. The order stated no cause, and we were all left guessing. It transpires that one Anschell had secured a judgment for $250 against the company, which had not been liquidated, and the restraining order was to hold up the foreclosure sale until this judgment had been paid. The Lord only knows when this matter will be settled, but we of the Metaline hope it will be soon. The Spokane Lead Mines are good mines with immense bodies of ore. A concentrator was built last summer at a cost of $20,000. It had reached that point when it was about to do business. The machinery had been started, and Mr. King, the concentrator man, was setting things adjusted. A few small things were still lacking—screens, etc., the cost being not more than $200—to have the concentrator pounding away and turning out high grade concentrates. But as usual—almost as damnably usual in mining ventures—the company got at loggerheads and everything stopped—never to go again, it looks like. Then stepped in Kroll, who held a $16,000 mortgage on the property and foreclosed. It's a shame. The Spokane Lead Mines are good mines. The concentrator is a good concentrator. There are mountains of ore. Lead is a fair price. Under these conditions, what excuse is there for this property lying idle? Are there little stockholders that the big stockholders want weeded out? To us in Metaline there doesn't appear to be any other cause. We are sorry for the little stockholders, of course, but the operation of this mine means much to Metaline, and we hope the troubles will be fixed up and the mines started.—Ione Record.