coal trade bulletin - Clpdigital.org

THE COAL TRADE BULLETIN. 26
COAL PRODUCTION IN 1913 BROKE ALL PREVIOUS RECORDS, AND
YEAR WAS NOTABLE FOR BETTER PRICES
All production figures in the coal industry were
shattered in the year 1913, just closed, and
the United States surpassed all previous
records. This was the big thing in the
industry during the year. Next, to this in the
matter of noteworthy features of the trade was the
ability of the producing companies to maintain
prices at a figure that did not spell loss. Labor
troubles had their effect on the industry during
the year, two fields experiencing considerable difficulty—West
Virginia and Colorado. What really
was worse in this line was tbe innumerable petty
strikes all over the country, particularly in the
unionized fields, that cost the operators more in
tonnage and money than the troubles in West Virginia
and Colorado.
The estimated tonnage for the year, by states, is:
*1912, JT913.
Alabama 16,100,000 17,500,000
Alaska ® 3,000
Arkansas 2.100,819 2,500,000
California ©11,333 15,000
Colorado 10,977,824 9,500,000
Georgia ©227,703 ©250,000
Idaho © 2,964 3,000
Illinois 59,885,226 62,000,000
Indiana 15,285,718 17,250,000
Iowa 7,289.529 7,500,000
Kansas 6,986,1S2 7,500.000
Kentucky 16,490,521 17,000,000
Maryland 4,964,038 4,750,000
Michigan 1,206,230 1,200,000
Missouri 4,339,856 4,500,000
Montana 3.04S.495 3,300,000
Nevada © 1,000
New Mexico 3,536,824 3,750,000
North Dakota 499,480 500,000
Ohio 34,528,727 37,500,000
Oklahoma 3,675,418 4,250,01)0
Oregon 41,637 45,000
Penna.—Bituminous . . . 161.865,488 175,000,000
South Dakota © 10,000
Tennessee 6,473,228 6,500.000
Texas 2,188,612 2,300,000
Utah 3,016,149 3,600,000
Virginia 7.S46.63S S,500,0(i0
Washington 3,360,932 3,750,000
West Virginia 66,786,687 64,000,000
Wyoming 7,368,124 7,500,000
Total
Penna.—Anthracite
450,104,982
S4.361.5S9
Total 534,466,5S0
471,977,000
90,500,000
562,477,000
While the above figures show a record breaking
tonnage, it also is noticeable the bituminous end
of the industry, and included in this is the coke
trade, alone has passed the high mark previously
set. The anthracite industry showed a big increase
over 1912, but it failed to pass the mark set
in 1911. It may be judged from this that this
branch of the industry has reached its zenith unless
some unforeseen and prolonged suspension of
liituminous mining shall push anthracite tonnage
to a new record.
A glance over the accompanying table is instructive
in throwing some light on the different
fields where production showed an increase and
those where there was a falling off in tonnage.
They show that Pennsylvania once more leads
both in tonnage and in the increase over the previous
year. They also show that Illinois, Ohio,
Indiana, Alabama, Kentucky, Kansas and Virginia
are among the states that have largely increased
tonnage to their credit. West Virginia
and Colorado show the greatest decrease in
tonnage, and in each instance the loss was due
to labor troubles. Iowa, Maryland and Michigan
either show decreases or practically equaled their
1912 record, while in Missouri, Montana, New
Mexico. North Dakota, Oregon, Tennessee. Texas,
©Included in California.
©Includes Alaska.
©Includes North Carolina.
©Includes Nevada.
©Included in Idaho.
©First reported production in 1913.
*U. S. Geological Survey figures.
tEstimated from railroad, government, operators
and state mine inspectors' figures. The thanks of
the editor is extended to the following state mine
inspectors for aid in compiling this estimate;
Messrs. C. H. Nesbitt, Alabama; Sumner S. Smith,
Alaska; T. H. Shaw, Arkansas; James Dalrymple.
Colorado; Robert N. Bell, Idaho; Martin Bolt, chief
clerk State Mining Board, Illinois; F. I. Pearce,
Indiana: L. E. Stamm, secretary to mine inspectors,
Iowa: Francis Keegan, Kansas; C. J. Norwood,
Kentucky; William Walters, Maryland; J. V. Cunningham,
commissioner of labor, Michigan; J. P.
Hawkins, secretary bureau of mines, Missouri;
J. B. McDermott, Montana: Ed. Ryan, Nevada:
.Joseph H. Pratt, state geologist, North Carolina;
Rees H. Beddow, New Mexico; Jay W. Bliss, North
Dakota: J. C. Davies, Ohio; Ed. Boyle, Oklahoma;
H. M. Parks, director bureau of mines and geology,
Oregon: ,1. E. Roderick, Pennsylvania; Otto
Ellman, South Dakota; George E. Sylvester, Tennessee;
I. J. Broman. Texas; J. E. Pettit, Utah; James
B. Doherty, Virginia: James Bagley. Washington;
Earl A. Henry, West Virginia, and George Blacker
and W. E. Jones, Wyoming.
(CONTINUED ON PAGE 55)
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