The age-herald., 1897-12-25

provements by the designers since the Standard company built their plant Con- sequently, we are warranted in setting forth the claim that today the Birming- ham district is entitled to a position in the van amongst the other coal-producing states in the union by reason of having adopted the most modern improvements in coal washing.
 Other Mineral Resources
 So far as the other mineral resources of the state are concerned there is no oppor- tunity to make any comparisons between the conditions during 1897 and previous years, because during the past year has been the first time in the history of the state that any statistics of a reliable char acter have been collected. It has been very difficult, especially in the clay industry and from the lime burners to procure figures representing the production, because no such attempt ever having been made be- fore, many of the operators could not be persuaded that it was advisable to make returns. The advantage to the state at large by advertising the resources appeared to many to be of less consideration than the fear that the publicity of such figures would increase competition, and in others that the publication of production might have some influence detrimental to their business by increasing freight rates, or producing jeal- ousy between the railroad companies.
 However while it has been impossible to compile a statistical report as complete as is desirable, concerning the clay, brick, limestone, lime and mineral paint produc- tion in the state yet it will be seen from the figures published that all of these in- dustries have been carried successfully during 1897, and that the mineral resources of the state are of such a diversified char acter as to place Alabama in the front ranks among her sister states.
 Gold Mining
 This review would not be complete with out reference to the fact that gold mines in Clay and Randolph counties have been producing bullion regularly during the past year. In Cleburne county several bona fide sales of properties on which occur either gold bearing ore or gravel have been con summated and such have been developed to determine the advsability of erecting plants for the treatment of the ore and saving of the gold.
 In Tallapoosa county considerable pros- pecting work has been done at Hog Noun tain and other points.
 Every thing considered I am of the opin- ion that during the year 1897, there has been more progress made in establishing the values of the Alabama gold fields than in the same period for many years past If the operations commenced in 1897 be con tinued and carried on conservatively dur ing the coming year there is no question but that twelve months hence the actual value of the gold bearing area of Alabama in a commercial sense, will have been es- tablished, and I believe that if the same conservatism and judgment used in the investment of capital for developing the resources of this region that in many locations profitable results will follow, es- pecially along the belt of extensive low Randolph and Clay counties.
 Interest in Copper Mines
 The past year has witnessed for the first time since 1897, renewal of interest in the copper mines of Randolph county, and the southern portion of Cleburne county. Ship ments of ore were made during the year to the Balbach shelter at Newark N. J., the returns from which were very sats- factory. Since then a syndicate has been working to obtain a thoroughly good tile to the property intending, as l am inform ed, to work the mines in future on an ex- tensive scale.
 The following table will show the condi- tions of the mineral industry in Alabama during the past year:
 Tons