The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-06-21

degrees The coal has a foliated structure
someuhat similar, and Ike freedom from
phosphorus and sulphur Three properties are
being developed in this group, the Blue Canyon,
the Occident and the samish. The Blue Canyon
and the OccideBt are on the same vein, which
shows at a depth Of sixty feet, nineteen and one
half feet thickness of coal, and at depth of one
hundred feet twenty-five and one-half feet
thickness OF coal The coal is bright black
folisted coal. partly lump and partly soft, pro-
ducing excellent coke and useful for black
smithing, gas, steam or domestic purposes.
The question OF the geological formation OF
Western Washington has been briefly consid-
cred By many writers, and all agree that the coal
formation is cretaceous. While this is without
doubt true of the Ignite and semi bituminous
areas OF the southern and southwestern portions
OF the field, will look with interest to the in
formation gained by the geological survey OF
the state pointing 10 the placing the Skagit river
and Nooksack groups in lower geological for
nation.
Some of the features OF the coal veins OF
Washington which have already been noted
have great bearing on the economic value OF
the mines. The high angles at which the veins
dip, permit the veins TO be traced on the surface
and allow them 10 be opened by tunnels and the
product to be extracted on a down grade, saving
the large amount of money that hosting would
cost. The underlying and OVERLAPPING sand
stone is mostly in thick seams, which stand
well, so that the cost of timbering is light Tim
Der is very abundant and consequently cheap,
making the cost of bunkers, trestles,
ETC., less than In other regions. Good water 10
abundant in quantity for water power, for
washers, etc. The cost of breaking ground at
the present price OF labor is from IS cents 70 90
cents per cubic yard. The cost OF freighting
from any vein in Western Washington 10 tide
water will not exceed IS cents per ton; in most
cases one-half of that amount win suffice. An
abundance of coal could be profitably laid down
at Puget sound ports at $50 per ton. The same
coal could be laid down in San Francisco at q
cost not TO exceed s. per ton. The consumer of
Puget sound ports has paid for the last thirty
eight months an average of s5.45 per ton, and the
consumer OF San Francisco $s.l5 per ton. II is
pertinent fact that two thirds of the coal used
in California comes from foreign sources.
Following the text of the article are the
analysis OF samples from some of the lead
ing veins. A copy of the bulletin will be
sent to every coal producer in the United
States, accompanied by the following per-
sonal letter:
beg to call your attention TO the Enclosed
bulletin ON the coal measures of the state OF
Washington, and particularly 10 the statements
regarding the cost of marketing and the prices
obtained for the product.
There may be some one connected with your
business who would be Interested in this IN
formation, which is thoroughly reliable. Ii so,
would ask that this letter be handed to him.
There is wide field for the investment of CAPT
tai in the way of development of coal mines, as
well as in many other directions in this state. 1
hope you will give thought to this matter and
write me for any further details you may need