Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1880-02-07
MINES COMMISSION REPORT.
CONTINUED from first page.


vey including economical Geology,
discovering new sources of wealth and
inviting the profitable investment of
capital within her borders. New Jer-
sey is engaged in survey which is
very successfully collecting valuable
information, adding millions to the
wealth of the State; she has no coal
fields, but is expanding large sums in
economic Geology. Capital cannot be
attracted to the State, nor can bust
ness be conducted to the best advant-
age without the detailed information
supplied by correct survey money
that now goes to incite speculation in
the financial centres would find more
healthful employment in developing
the natural wealth and resources Of
the State. The survey would be very
accurately made, so as to give full in
formation of the natural wealth to be
developed, and to protect every one
from costly mistakes and the State
from losses thereby.
The Western States are using such
surveys as an advertisement to attract
an industrial population, finding it to
pay. With our coal, iron-ore and
fire clay, furnishing loadstones to at
tract capital within our borders, the
State would soon find it to pay in the
increase of large, active and indus
trial population and the trade that al
ways follows it. The basis of taxa
ton would be very greatly increased,
and the burdens lightened to the
whole people of the State.
In all appropriations by the State
for the examination of its resources,
the amount has been too small to &C.
complish any perman snt good; not
less than thirty thousand ($30,000
dollars should be appropriated for the
purpose Of a correct instrumental and
Typographical survey of the State to
be applied as needed under the con-
tract Of the Board of Public Works.
The outlets to the Cumberland Coal
Basin are -
The B. & o. Rail Road passing through
Cumberland, up the Potomac River,
through the south end of the coal field at
Piedmont and Bloomington.
2. The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal from
Georgetown, terminating at Cumberland
ten u thirty miles south of the coal fields.
3. The Bedford and Pennsylvania Rail
ROAD from Cumberland to Philadelphia
and South Amboy, foot of Staten Island.
These three main outlets are at present
supplied with coal by two branch roads
from Cumberland to the mines, viz:
1. The Cumberland and Pennsylvania
road passing up Wills creek and Jennings
run by short tunnel under FIostburg in
to the Georges Creek valley, and connect
Ing with the b. & o. road at Piedmont, 81
miles.
3, The Eckhart branch road from the
canal basin, up Wills creek on the west
side, then to and up Braddock's run to the
coal fields at Eckhart, 10 miles.
These two Branch roads charge an
arbitrary price of 2 cents per ton per
mile freight on all coal passing over
them, this charge virtually excludes
all shipments of coal to the canal from
the Cumberland and Pennsylvania
Road from any company between
Homecoming AMI Piedmont. The
Maryland and American Coal Com
panies are constructing the George
Greek Branch coal road from the ca,
nal at Cumberland to their mines al
Homecoming, especially as feeder tc
the canal. This road passes up Wills
creek and Braddocks run, crossing
over the transverse ridge to Georges
creek valley, thence by two parallel
branches to the entrance of their mines
a distance of 90 miles, freight l cents
per ton per mile. The construction
of this road saves to the shippers o.
coal over it to the canal % cents PEI
ton, and the expense and use of the
inclined plane at the mines.
In addition to these feeders to the
canal there has been surveyed line
for branch road from Bloomington
up the North branch of the Potomac
passing through the lower coal meas
ures and heavy timber lands to the
big vein at the Elk Garden Settlement
All these coal veins thicken as they
approach the south end of the Basin
and lose their slate paintings; assur-
ances are given from reliable sources,
that this branch of eight (6) miles
will be constructed during the coming
season especially as feeder to the
Canal under special arrangements be-
tween the. Canal and the B. & 0. Rail
Road, made at the January Session Of
1878.
The distance to market and cost Of
coal by the various routes now in OPP
GRAFTON, assuming Homecoming to b.
the centre, are as follows;
Via the B. 81 o. railroad, ga miles.
Homecoming to Piedmont, 8 miles,
freight on 2240 lbs. ..............S 16
Piedmont to Locust Point, 206 M,
freight. .................. 70
Transfer at Locust Point. ........ IS
Freight to New York from an aver
age for years.. 25
Cost of Mining, 40 cents, expenses at
mines, 20 cents. ................. 90
Cost of coal at New York .....S3 81
Via the Ches. and o. canal. .211 miles
Lonacog to Cumb'd, 20 miles, freight so
Cumb'd to Georgetown, 1876 miles tolls 40
Freight by steamer .............. 70
Transfer at Georgetown. ........... IS