Salt Production Activities in Izmir Çamaltı Saltern and in Turkey ( 1923-1950 )

This study deals with salt production activities in Izmir Çamaltı Saltern and in Turkey in the Republic period and their contributions to economy. Data has been obtained by scanning the literature. The subject is limited to and discussed under the title of salt production activities in Izmir Çamaltı Saltern and in Turkey in the period of Republican People’s Party (CHP) (1923-1950). Evaluations have been made based on numeric data in discussing the salt production activities in Izmir Çamaltı Saltern and in Turkey. The gap in the literature about the research subject has been filled through use of primary sources such as Republic archive documents, official publications, journals of laws, journals of official reports, proceedings of memorandum, official gazettes, statistical data, Ayın Tarihi journal (government’s dating publication), and articles from the magazines of the period. The relevant evaluations have been made considering the production processes in Turkey and those in the leading countries in the world about salt production. It has been found out that salt production, sales, and export were monopolized by the state with the General Directorate of Salt Monopoly set up on 1 June 1927 with its center in Ankara. With the modernization of Çamaltı Saltern and other facilities established from that date on, the amount of salt production in Turkey and salt export to other countries increased, thereby making substantial contributions to the national economy.


INTRODUCTION
Salt is a substance known and used by humans since ancient times.Salt, which is necessary for the body to work regularly, has a big importance for human health.The Chinese government saw the salt as a source of income for the state for centuries.Various texts mentioning salt tax in China in the twelfth century BC were found.Human being deprived of the information provided by modern geology and not knowing where the salt could be found continued his efforts to find ways of obtaining salt until the 20 th century.The roads built in the Roman Empire carried the salt not only to Rome, but also to the inner parts of the peninsula.Due to the precious nature of salt, salaries of soldiers and workers were paid in salt in some countries throughout history (MTA, 1977: 376).
In the Ottoman Empire, until the declaration of the Tanzimat, the salt production was made by individuals.The tax to be imposed on salt was either put on tender or administered by mukataa.After the Tanzimat, this tax was collected directly by the state.As the capitulations were in effect, the importation of salt from foreign countries could not be prevented, and there was no possibility of the monopolized administration of this material.Since the debts of the Ottoman Empire from 1854 to 1877 could not be paid, an agreement was made between the state and Galata Bankers for the 10-year allocation of fiscal incomes such as salary tax in return for the interests and redemption of the debts.Pursuant to this agreement, Administration of Six Indirect Revenues (ASIR) was established on 22 November 1879, and it took over salt revenue.Later, all rights related to this were transferred to Ottoman Public Debt Administration in accordance with the Muharrem By-Law.This administration obtained approximately one and a half million gold liras from salt annually (Altuğ, 1952: 304); (Karal, 1988: 427); (İktisadi Yürüyüş [Economic Walk], 1942: 31).1925).With the Law Concerning Salt Sale on Account dated 24 May 1928 and numbered 1270, it was allowed to buy salt on account from salterns provided that one of the banks to be indicated by the government would stand security; the limit would be 1,500 tons per individual; and the money for such amount of salt would be paid within maximum three months (TBMMKD [TBMM Journal of Laws], 1928: 214).

Salt Production Activities in
Laws on salt continued to be introduced in the Republic period as well.With the Law on Salt Sales and Salt Prices numbered 1518, salt export and transportation, which would be conducted by Salt Monopoly Administration through bargain, and all the repair and construction activities would be carried out in consignment on condition that there was no willing individual.It was decided that those which were not open to negotiation due to their nature and urgency would be carried out in consignment with the approval of the Ministry of Finance, and tools and materials concerning it would be purchased through bargain In the first Government Program announced by Celal Bayar on 8 November 1937, he stated that they attached importance to salt monopoly as well as other monopolies, and thus they were determined to take all the measures to increase salt sales to foreign countries (TBMMZC [Proceeding of Memorandum], 1937: 32); (Arar, 1968: 109).
Salt, which contains many chemicals including but not limited to soda and caustic soda, is a food product for many living beings, especially human beings.Therefore, it is highly important for industry as well.The Administration of Monopolies undertook the task of operating this rich offered by nature and made additions to its program every year to raise production (İktisadi Yürüyüş [Economic Walk], 1942: 52).
Until the World War II broke out, the salt produced in Turkey had consumers in Japan besides European countries (Acun, 1942: 67).However, the negative atmosphere caused by war conditions almost stopped salt sale to foreign countries (İktisadi Yürüyüş [Economic Walk], 1942: 53).After the war ended, an effort was made to make and put into effect a new agreement with Japan, as stated by Nuri Özsan, the Minister of Customs and Commerce during the budget negotiations at TBMM (Grand National Assembly of Turkey).56 thousand tons of salt in 1946, 33 thousand tons of salt in 1947, and about 39 thousand tons of salt in 1948 and 1949 were exported to foreign countries from Turkey (Cimilli, 1951: 12, 23).Salt production in Turkey was performed in four ways: sea salt, lake salt, rock salt, and spring salt (İktisadi Yürüyüş [Economic Walk], 1942: 31, 53).
1. Lake salt is produced by use of sun in lakes with salty water.Lake salt is produced from Yavşan and Kaldırım salterns in Koçhisar lake of Konya province.Annual production is about 40 tons.
2. Spring salt is produced by collecting salty river and well waters in pools and evaporating them.Spring salt is produced from various 41 salterns located in various regions of Turkey, and the production is about 35 tons on average per year.
3. Rock salt can be found above the surface of the ground in the form of rocks.However, it is also possible for rock salt to form under the ground.Underground salt reserves are mined via tunnels just like it is done in pits.This kind of salt is obtained from the salterns in Hacıbektaş and Tepesidelik near Kayseri province, Sağırkaya and Oltu in Erzurum province, Kağızman and Kulp in Kars province, as well as from Çankırı and Sekili salterns.Average annual production is about 20 thousand tons (Cillov, 1965: 349); (Cillov, 1967: 242).
4. Sea salt is obtained by evaporating the sea waters that are withdrawn to land.It is only produced at Izmir Çamaltı Saltern.This saltern was developed by modern facilities.People like this saltern due to its cleanliness and excellence.150 thousand tons of table salt is produced annually from this saltern.
In Turkey in 1942, there were 475 locations to obtain salt that were controlled by the General Directorate of Monopolies.These locations were mainly situated in eastern regions.Some of these salterns contained certain substances that prevented producing quality salt and providing salt with nutritious quality, while others had insufficient potential, which prevented obtaining salt from such locations (İktisadi Yürüyüş [Economic Walk], 1942: 31).
In Turkey in 1947, over 200 thousand tons of salt with a value amounting to 5 million liras were produced while in 1948, 350 thousand tons of salt with a value amounting tt 9 million liras was produced (İktisadi Yürüyüş [Economic Walk], 1949: 10).
To conduct salt transportation in all the seasons without any problems, Yavşan and Kaldırım salterns in Koçhisar Lake Tuz were affiliated to the General Directorate of Highways, and the way connecting Izmir Çamaltı Saltern to Çiğil Station was bettered.An agreement was made with Organization for Economic Cooperation for a fund of 403 thousand and 500 hundred liras, which was necessary for these works, to be granted from Marshall Aid programme mutual funds (Ayın Tarihi, 1951: 36).

Salt Production Works in Izmir Çamaltı Saltern
The history of Çamaltı Saltern, located on the barren land filled by Gediz River, dates back to ancient times.While it is impossible to grow neither pine nor any kind of trees on such a barren land, why this region is called Çamaltı (meaning "under the pine trees" in Turkish language) is worth investigating.It was found that the real name of the saltern is not Çamaltı but Çanala.Though there are various rumors regarding the issue, the most important one tells that there was a church located on three hills in the north-west direction once upon a time.The saltern was called Çanaltı (meaning "under the bell" in Turkish language) due to the bell of the church.Though the church remains near the saltern are indicative of Greeks mainly in control of salt production, it is acknowledged that there were also certain Turkish names involved in salt production (Cimilli, 1951: 12).
Çamaltı is a saltern located on a flat area of 14 km 2 to the left of the entrance to the gulf, which is 25 km away from Karşıyaka sub-district of Izmir province.This region is rather convenient in terms of roads.On one side, it is coastal and it offers an easy and cheap way of transportation.On the other side, it has a network of land and rail ways at the rear end, which has led to constant extension of saltern hinterland (Cimilli, 1951: 12).
Çamaltı Saltern became one of the leading source of income for the Ottoman Public Debt Administration for a certain period.Then, Izmir Çamaltı Saltern started to be controlled by the General Directorate of Monopolies.It became one of the notable centers of industry and production with all the steps and developments attained each day.Saltpans owned by various people during the Ottoman Public Debt Administration period were received and organized geometrically.Following the start of these saltpans being used according to technical methods, it became necessary to form a staff.To get the highest efficiency from the staff, certain measures, with housing needs of the workmen being in the first place, were taken to meet the needs of the staff (İktisadi Yürüyüş [Economic Walk], 1942: 32).
After the General Directorate of Monopolies took the command of and started to operate Çamaltı Saltern, relevant measures were needed to be taken to take the salt from the saltpans and to accumulate and protect it.Therefore, the administration attached importance to assistant service, elevators, transportation vehicles, light railway, and electrification as well as power plant workers so as to ensure the fulfilment of the abovementioned works.The Directorate tried to reach the level of its European equals while also trying to obtain the highest efficiency from the saltern.In addition, it tried to increase state income, ensure high production with low cost, and offer clean and delicious salt to the citizens of the country (İktisadi Yürüyüş [Economic Walk], 1942: 32).
In the past, salt collected from the sea at Çamaltı Saltern was given to tradesmen in accumulated forms.
The tradesmen grinded salt in various mills either by themselves or through other mediators to sell it to people.Since salt production needed to be controlled rigidly, the General Directorate of Monopolies undertook the duty of salt grinding and packaging as well.Çamaltı Saltern mill, founded in 1912 and extended in 1935, became one of the most important facilities at the saltern.Thanks to the activities of this mill, it became possible to manufacture low-cost, damp-free, fine table salt.At the saltern, the founded mill washes the salt to make it magnesium-free and grinds it.The facilities have the maximum capacity of manufacturing 40 to 50 tons of table salt per day. 3 In September 1942, there were 11 people working at Çamaltı Saltern.One of them was the master; some others were dissipators, dry kiln, and hot-air workers; two were centrifuge and sack machine workers; and three were packaging workers.(Cimilli, 1951: 16, 23).
The amount of salt sold to foreign countries from Izmir Çamaltı Saltern in a decade was 20 thousand tons annually.This amount increased more in 1935 and reached 50 thousand tons.As foreign ships that came to buy salt were loaded with lots of salt in a short while, foreign buyers started to trust in this saltern.Therefore, countries such as Sweden and Belgium bought salt from Turkey, and salt export of a large scale was initiated between Turkey and Japan (İktisadi Yürüyüş [Economic Walk], 1942:32-52).
Çamaltı Saltern was the only saltern making exports.With an income of 400 thousand liras from the Marshall Aid plan, it started to be expanded based on a schedule.The expected rate of export upon the completion of the works was determined to be 200 thousand tons (Cimilli, 1951: 12); (Tataç, 1951: 216); (Ayın Tarihi, 1951: 36).As it is the case in other monopoly businesses, the saltern formed its own capital as it was financed by the General Directorate.Fixed assets of the saltern, which can be considered founding capital of the facility, were made up of two parts: one from the budget and the other from the capital in use.The budget part consisted of the capital used from property, machines, inventory stock, and transportation vehicles.Fixed assets involved instruments, tools, and installations of the saltern.According to the monopoly balance dated 1949, the first amounted to 1,807,202 liras while the latter amounted to 450,664 liras.The fund granted to the saltern from the budget was allocated for civil servants, wageworkers, and construction and repair works.All kinds of costs related to labor and production of materials were covered from the capital used.The sum of annual budget and the capital used varied from 1 million 300 thousand to 1 million 600 thousand liras.At Çamaltı Saltern, there were 300-360 permanent workers and 1,200-1,400 temporary workers working in the production season lasting nearly two months (Cimilli, 1951: 12).
At Çamaltı Saltern, the acquisition of raw salt from sea water usually starts in May every year.At this date, sea water, which has a turbidity of 1-2.5 degrees Baume, is filled into raw water pools.The production of raw salt completely depends on the convenience of weather conditions.Dry and humid weather conditions affect salt production.They increase or decrease production.For that reason, the years involving higher production should be associated with the convenience of weather conditions rather than the efforts of supervisors (Cimilli, 1951: 16).
The production capacity of Çamaltı Saltern is averagely 150-160 thousand tons a year (Acun, 1942: 67).The area where the produced salt can be kept has a capacity to hold 280 thousand tons of salt.As sea transportation is easy and cheap, salt need of some cities around Black Sea, Marmara, and Mediterranean Sea is completely met from Çamaltı Saltern.4 Table 1 below shows salt production and salt sales in Turkey from 1924 to 1950 in ton (Cimilli, 1951: 123).

CONCLUSION
Until the National Government was established in Ankara, salt monopoly was administered by the Ottoman Public Debt Administration, which was established in the late Ottoman period.The income obtained from salt was also collected by this administration.The fact that salt was among the primary sources of income of the state led the National Government founded in Anatolia to introduce laws for increasing salt tax in order to raise the financial support for the country.TBMM (The Grand National Assembly of Turkey) trying to establish an administrative structure for conducting salt activities after the Ottoman Public Debt Administration and attach importance to salt monopoly in particular set up the General Directorate of Monopolies, assigned the task of operating sea, lake, rock, and spring salt to it, and made some efforts to take measures that would raise salt sales to foreign countries.
Though salt was obtained from many sources in Turkey, most salt production was made at Çamaltı Saltern.Salt production works involving obtaining raw salt from sea water generated around 150-160 thousand tons of salt a year.Some of this salt met the salt need of some cities around the Black Sea, Marmara, and the Mediterranean Sea, while the rest was exported to foreign countries.
Gradual increase in salt production from year to year facilitated its use in many areas.Thanks to the production and trade of salt used in various forms and fields such as table salt, agriculture, soda ash, ceramics, soap, glass, paper, chlorination, artificial silk, leather, chemistry, and food industry, significant contributions were made to the economy of the country by creating employment and exporting to foreign countries.
Çamaltı Saltern and in Turkey in the Period of Republican People's Party (CHP) (1923-1950) As salt was among the primary sources of income of the state, laws concerning the increase of taxes on it were put into effect to raise the financial support for the country following the collapse of the Ottoman Empire and the foundation of the National Government.With the Law on Salt Tax dated 23 September 1920 and numbered 26, the tax to be collected per kilo at the salterns of the Ottoman Empire was determined as three kuruş (TBMMKD [TBMM Journal of Laws], 1920: 28); (Resmi Gazete [Official Gazette], 28 February 1921).With the Law on Salt Tax dated 8 April 1924 and numbered 468, the Law numbered 26 was abolished, and tax on salt was raised to four kuruş per kilo (TBMMKD [TBMM Journal of Laws], 1924: 321).In accordance with the second article of the Law dated 3 March 1925 and numbered 575, salt tax was increased to six kuruş from four kuruş (TBMMKD [TBMM Journal of Laws], 1925: 88); (Resmi Gazete [Official Gazette], 4 March Salt monopoly was administered by Otttoman Public Debt Administration until the National Government was established in Ankara.The income obtained from salt was allocated by this administration, too.After the National Government was established, connections with Ottoman Public Debt Administration in Istanbul were broken.Until 1927, salt works were conducted by General Directorate of Public Debt Administration set up in Ankara.An administration titled Salt Monopoly Administration was established in 1927.After this administration conducted salt works for a while, the administration was affiliated to the Ministry of Customs and Monopolies in 1931.Then, it was annexed to the General Directorate of Monopolies established through combination of the general directorates of tobacco, distillery, salt, gunpowder and explosives 2 (İktisadi Yürüyüş [Economic Walk], 1942: 31).With the Salt Law dated 11 December 1936 and numbered 3078, salt export and production in Turkey was taken under the monopoly of the state, and the production and exportation of salt by others was called smuggling (TBMMKD [TBMM Journal of Laws], 1936: 104); (Resmi Gazete [Official Gazette], 23 December 1936).
Thanks to the works of these people, 50 kg sacks of damp-free salt reached high-purity level(İktisadi Yürüyüş [Economic Walk],  1942: 52).Cost factors such as raw salt, labor, transportation, and common materials were added to the cost of table salt obtained from the saltern. 1 kilogram of table salt cost3.93kuruş in 1946, 4.06 kuruş in 1947, and 4.10  kuruş in 1948.40to50% of the cost was due to sack value while the rest was about other elements.9to 15% of table salt cost corresponded to raw salt, labor, transportation, and general expenses, while the rest 85 to 91% corresponded to cost of material.1 kilogram of table salt cost14.54kuruş in 1946, 13.34 kuruş  in 1947, and 14.24 kuruş in 1948

TABLE :
Table1shows salt production and salt sales in Turkey from 1924 to 1950 in ton.In 1924, there was a production of 154,452 tons of salt.It rose to 310,173 tons in 1950 with an increase of 155,721 tons.That is, an increase of 100.82% took place in the amount of salt production from 1924 to 1950.Salt sale was 178,713 tons in 1927.It rose to 252,027 tons in 1950 with an increase of 73,314 tons.In this way, an increase of 41.02% took place in salt sales from 1927 to 1950.