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6 COAL AND TIMBER January, 1905
establishments for the manufacture of coke
in the Connellsville Coke Region.
These establishments consisted of 7211
coke ovens, 731 of which were in the process
of construction. The coal used during
that year for the manufacture of coke was
3,367,856 short tons; coke produced therefrom
2,205,946 short tons; total value of
coke at ovens, $3,948,643; value of coke at
ovens per ton, $1.79; yield of coke from
coal, 65.5 per cent.
There are no statistics relative to the coal
and coke production for the year 1904
available at this time; however, there is
reliable data furnished by the Connellsville
which is at the rate of 11,000,000 short
tons in round numbers per annum.
Of late years, a sister Coke Region has
been developed in proximity to the Connellsville
Coke Region Proper, which is now
generally known as the Klondike or Lower
Connellsville Region. Prom the same issue
of the Courier, I find that there are in existence
in that Region at this time, 30
establishments, 6,189 coke ovens, 5,433 of
which are in blast and 756 out of blast,
with several hundred more projected and
in the process of construction. The production
for the week ending December 10th,
amounts to 66,588 short tons or a pro-
F. C. KEIGHLEY.
President Central Mining Institute of Western Pennsylvania.
Courier, which is the representative paper
of the Connellsville coke industry on the
matter of establishments and coke ovens
now in existence, and of all matters connected
with the coke industry.
Referring to the Courier's issue of December
16, I find that the total number of
establishments is 101; the total number of
ovens in shape for use, 23,178; the number
of ovens in blast, 19,110; the number out
of blast, 4,068, with a thousand or more
ovens projected and under process of construction:
and the weekly production from
the ovens in operation was for the week
ending December 10th, 215,268 short tons,
duction at the rate of 3,500,000 short tons
in round numbers per annum.
Adding these two sets of figures together,
we have in the two Regions, which
are now the important Coke Regions in the
States, 131 establishments, 29,367 ovens,
24,543 of which are in blast, 4824 out of
blast, with a production for the week ending
December 10th ot 281,856 short tons, which
is equal to 14,500,000 short tons in round
numbers per annum.
Looking backwards, it is seen that the
number of establishments has increased
from 67 to 131 and the coke ovens have
inreased from 7,942 to 29,367. The production
has increased from 2,205,946 short
tons of coke to 15,538,701 short tons produced
at the high production mark which
was reached 1902. The value of this coke
in 1880 was $3,948,643, and at the high production
mark of 1902 was $23,785,433. The
value of coke at ovens per ton, $1.79 to
$2.28, and the yield of coke from coal 65.5
per cent, to 67.05 per cent. You must bear
in mind that these latter figuresare for the
year 1902, which was the boom year in
coke.
The possibilities of the two Regions at
this time owing to the increase in the
in the number of plants and ovens erected,
would, under favorable conditions, amount
to 19,000,000 short tons in round numbers,
and no doubt would reach that rate at this
time, were it not for the fact that water
cannot be had to keep in operation the
plants now out of blast.
I might further remark that the coke
production of the United States since the
year 1880 to 1905, has increased about 800
per cent. The figures submitted to you
relative to the Connellsville Coke Region
Proper and the Lower Connellsville Region
would show an increase as follows:
For the Connellsville Region Proper,
about 500 per cent; and with the two
Regions combined, 600 per cent; but the
possible production would be about 650 per
cent, of an increase. This shows tremendous
strides in the matter of production during
the 25 years that I have known the Coke
Region.
But there have been as great and probably
much more important strides in the matters
of systems and appliances used in this
great industry. I can remember the time
when there was not a safety lamp in use in
the Connellsville Coke Region. It is true
that in 1880 there were some large plants
as compared with the modern plants now
in existence, butit would be like comparing
a tallow dip to a sixteen candle power
electric light.
Up to 1880, accidents in the Connellsville
Coke Region were rare, and I doubt
very much if fire damp had much more than
made its appearance, and certainly not in
dangerous quantities.
Looking backwards has its painful, as
well as its pleasant side. From 1880 to 1904
is a period which, when looked at from the
standpoint of fatalities in the operation of
mines, can not be viewed without concern
and sad reflection.
In 1880, the naked light was the sole
illuminant in the miner's possession. At
this time, all large mines or mines of any
importance within the confines of the Connellsville
Regions combined, are equipped
with the latest and most safe type of safety
lamps; and the year 1905 will no doubt see
the present type of safety lamp replaced
be electricity. When this form of safety
lamp is fully introduced, it will certainly
be one of the greatest, if not the greatest
stride in improvements for safe guarding
connected with the industry, as it is one
that involves the health and safety of the