COAL - Clpdigital.org

30 THE COAL TRADE BULLETIN.
shortages of fuel, even at no remote distance from
producing centers. Next winter will see a vastly
increased demand for coal and coke, with, rela­
tively, no better transportation facilities. It re­
mains to be seen whether last year's experience
has effectually taught its lesson. Present indica­
tions are that it has not.
* * *
.CONGRESSMAN BURTON is reported to have been
much put out owing to the rise which overtook the
inspection party, of whicli he was the head, while
covering the last half of the course of the Ohio.
He is quoted as saying that the inability to ex­
amine into conditions at low water made it im­
possible to pass judgment on the actual needs of
that section of the river, and that he would like
to go over that part of the route again. If Mr.
Burton could see the upper half of the Ohio when
that stream is on one of its spring rampages, and
witness some of the disastrous wrecks that those
who entrust their cargoes to its waters are accus­
tomed to risk, he would need no further evidence
of the crying necessity for the improvements de­
manded.
* * *
THE STRIKE of the Chicago teamsters has taken
on a new lease of life. The end, however, must
inevitably be the same. Meanwhile a few more
murders and mannings do not seem to make
wrested from her.
OFFICIAL STATISTICS ON COAL PRODUCTION
COMPILED BY EDWARD W. PARKER, OF
THE UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SUR­
VEY.
Practically complete returns to the United States
geological survey for 1904, as collected by Mr.
Edward W. Parker, statistician, show that the
production of coal last year amounted to 351,196,-
953 short tons, having a total value at the mines
of $445,643,528. Compared with 1903 this shows
a falling off of 6,159,463 short tons in quantity,
and of $58,080,853 in value. This decrease, although
proportionately large in the figures of
value, does not indicate any interruption to the
generally prosperous conditions which have prevailed
during the last eight years. It was simply
a natural reaction from the abnormal activity
which had been maintained throughout the coal
mining regions in 1903, due to the exhaustion of
all coal stocks on hand by the memorable strike of
1902. In order to renew the coal stocks and at the
same time to provide fuel for immediate use, the
coal mines in 1903 were pushed to their utmost
capacity, or, one should probably say, to the capacity
of the railroads to handle the output. As
a result the enormous production of 357,356,416
short tons was recorded. Prices raised high by
the famine of 1902 reniained high for a large part
of the year, and the total value of coal at the
mines, before any expense of transportation or
selling costs had been added, amounted to $503,-
724,381,
Ax INCREASE OF $136,600,000
over that of 1902.
much difference to those to whom the matter of The production in 1904, while less than that of
preserving order is entrusted. Chicago is probably
the only large city in the Union in which
so much disorder and rioting would have been
1903 by 6,159,463 short tons, exhibits a normal increase
when compared with the annual production
during the ten preceding years. The average
price for all coal mined and sold in 1904 was $1.27,
borne so complaisantly.
as compared witn $1.41 in 1903, and $1.22 in 1902.
* * *
The statistics for the production of anthracite
THE inspections and tests of hoisting machinery,
in the Pennsylvania anthracite collieries, ordered
by Chief Roderick of the state bureau of mines,
in Pennsylvania, which are complete, show that
the output in 1904 amounted to 65,318,490 long
tons (equivalent to 73,156,709 short tons), valued,
at the mines, at $138,974,020, as compared with
has served a good purpose inasmuch as it has dem­ 66,613,454 long tons (or 74.607.06S short tons),
onstrated that the equipment examined is without valued at $152,036,448 in 1903. The decrease in
exception in first-class condition and absolutely
efficient.
* • *
production in 1904 therefore amounted to 1,294,964
long tons (or 1,450,359 short tons), while the falling
off in gross revenue amounted to $13,062,428.
Of the total production of Pennsylvania anthra­
SOUTHERN seers assert that they can already decite
in 1904. 57,727,178 long tons were shipped to
scry the dawn of the day when Alabama will be market, 1,410,703 tons were sold to local trade and
the centre of the iron and steel trade. Not until
Pennsylvania ceases to lead the coal producing
states, and that will not be for many a generation
employes, and 6,180,609 tons were used at the
mines for steam and heat. The average price for
the marketed product (excluding colliery consumption)
in 1904 was $2.35, as against $2.50 in
yet, will her supremacy in iron and steel be 1903.
One of the interesting features in connection