6S5MERCURY
By H. M. MEYER AND A. W. MITCHELL'



SUMMARY OUTLINE
 Pa~ Pag
 Summary 685 Prices                        
 Salient statistics 686 Consumption 690
 Agreement with Mexican Government~.. 687 Stocks 601
 Import restrictions 68~ Re~ iew by States 691
 Conservation in use 68~ Foreign trade OW?
 Price control 687 World production 690
 Stock pile purchases 688
 Bureau of Mines and Geological Survey
  activitIes 688





SUMMARY

 The Axis Powers were favored with supplies of mercury at the outset of the
present World War, because Italy and Spain, the principal world sources,
were closely associated with them. The develop-. ment of alternate sources
of supply to cover their requirements, therefore, was a problem their opponents
had to solve. Since the war began, however, production in ~restern Hemisphere
countries has increased until, for a time at least, the United Nations are
relatively self-sufficient in this commodity for all essential purposes.
There can be little question that the record-breaking high prices for mercury
played their part in this outstanding achievement.
 In 1939 the United S.tates produced 18,633 flasks, Mexico 7,376 flasks,
and Canada 6 flasks By 1941 the production in the United States had reached
44,921 flasks and in Mexico 23,137 flasks Data for Can~da cannot be published,
but it is well-known that a note-. worthy dontributor to world supplies has
been developed and is producing large quantities.
 Consumption in the United States during 1941 was 67 percent above that in
1940 and indicated that a new high record rate was established. The sharp
upward trend in domestic production during 1940 continued in 1941 with diminished
vigor; supplies from United States mines just sufficed to satisfy increased
domestic needs but allowed no surplus for exportation. Export restrictions
imposed in 1940 were effective in preventing needed metal from leaving the
country, and an agreement reached in July 1941 assured retention of Mexican
production in the Western Hemisphere. At the end of the year, supplies and
requirements appeared to balance, with some metal available for stock-. piling.
Nevertheless, the probability of increased demands for war purposes led the
Office of Production Management to consider means of reducing consumption
of mercury in uses designated as nonessential.
' Monthly data on production, consumption, and stocks compiled by D. A. Wyatt.