MINERAL PRODUCTS.
23
exported from the United States in large quantities for many years,
as shown by the following table, which gives also the production of
lead in the United States from domestic and from foreign ores:
Production of lead in the United States mid exports of foreign lead, 1909-1914.
Year.
1909.
1910.
1911.
1912.
1912.
1911.
[In short tons.]
Production.
From do
mestic
ore.
352,839
375,102
391,995
392,517
111,878
From
foreign
ore and
bullion.
97,040
94,870
94,984
88,377
50,582
Exports.
From
ware
house.
86,077
09,786
101,227
64,906
44,541
*8,833
Under
draw
back.
4,796
8,800
12,080
11,320
9,757
o Six months only.
There has been a rapid and progressive decline in the quantity of
foreign lead smelted in the United States since 1911, owing to the
unsettled conditions in Mexico. A similar decline appears in foreign
exports. For the current year the exports of bonded lead will ap
parently not be more than one-third as much as in 1913 and about
one-seventh as much as four years ago. The stock of foreign lead
of all kinds remaining in warehouse June 30, 1914, was 7,237 short
tons, principally at New York and El Paso.
For many years prior to 1914 there have been no exports of
domestic lead ore, bullion, or pig lead. Manufactures only of domes
tic lead have been exported. During the first seven months of 1914
the London price of lead has averaged 4.130 cents a pound, against
3.962 cents, the price at New York. The difference in March, June,
and July was about 0.3 cent a pound. By August 19 the London
price had increased to 4.875 cents a pound, a full cent above the
New York price. Commencing with March, there have been impor
tant exports of domestic lead to Europe, as follows :
Exports of domestic lead from United States to Europe, Marcli-July, 1914.
Short tons.
March.
April—
May__.
June -
July—
5, 838
5, 931
2, 045
(5, 348
10, 219 +
30,381+
The exports up to and including June went principally to con
tinental Europe, a little going to Russia, as indicated in the table
below, but with the differential between London and New York
prices which obtained in the middle of August, lead will no doubt be
exported to London.