The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-04-09
coAL PRODUCTION IN 1897.
r,, Output GREATER THAN IN
ANY PREVIOUS YEAR.

abp Price EeE l."
r,cb of the States-DiHerence in
- price of Different Kinds of
ro.I-0ther Matters of Interest.
,,-.s5ipgton. April s.-From a prelimi-
statement, compiled by E. w. Par
statistician of the United States Geo.
-.rf.a1 survey, it is shown that the total
-. Of coal in the United States
..,o,ntei approximately to 1873, $4,000
-5orr tons. with an aggregate value of
eos ,o1o0. a fraction less than $1.O0 per
-, compared with 1896 this shows an
,s.,reaee in tonnage of 6,270OOO tons or
obort 8.S per cent. The increase in the
,.olre of the product was only $1,000
Hide less than 8 of one per cent. The
o.nourt of coal produced in 1897 was the
LARGEST on record. The average value per
ton was the lowest ever known, contin-
ming the declining tendency which has
been shown. without any reaction for the
mast six years. The increase in produc-
hon and the decline in value was confined
m rhe output of bituminous coal The
anthracite production in Pennsylvania
derre4sed nearly two and a quarter mill
ion tons from 54,3460B1 short tons of 1000
mounds equivalent to 49, az, 2S7 long tons
of 2240 pounds), to 50, 122, 40S short tons
Tor AZ. 537, S64 long tons) in 1897, while the
average price received at the mines per
short ton was $1.65 per short ton ($1.S5 per
ling toni in both years. This is not an
Increase, but 1t is much better than
loss ] cent per ton meaning a total of
more than half a million of dollars. In
obtaining this average price for anthrax
lie coal per ton it must be remembered
that only marketable sizes are considered.
and the item of ''colliery consumption
usually consisting of culm, or waste. and
an otherwise valueless product, is not in
Guided. Excluding this factor the mar
ketabe product of anthracite coal in
Pennsylvania during 1897 was AZ, 637. 1854
long tons equivalent to 47,544, 40S sNsrt
tonsJ against 4,1S8, $50 long tons (49. 40, O75
shor, tous) in 1896
The fact that the oituminous production
should have shown an increase of s. 500 900
tons in spite of the prolonged strike n
the competitive fields of PENNSYLVANIA.
Ohio West Virginia, Indiana and Illinois
-four of them being the largest coal-pro-
ducug states, aggregating nearly 100, 900 900
tons, or more than two-thirds of the en-
tire output may be taken as an evidence
Of The wonderful capacity of our devel-
oped bituminous mines. OF the twenty
rlne Dituminous coal-producing states.
there were only six in which the produc-
ton in 1897 was less than in the preceding
year. These six were Georgia, Indian Ter
ritory, Kansas, Nebraska, Ohio and Ore
eon. In fifteen of them the output was
the largest ever obtained. OF the five
competitive states previously mentioned.
only one Ohio had a decreased produc-
ton in 1897. In twenty out of the twenty
n ct att -
average price per ton in 1897 was less than
It was in 1896, the general average for the
United States being So cents in 1896 and
SIS in 1897 The decline of IA cents on
a total product in 1897 or 146OO0OOO tons
represents decrease of something over
100000 from what would have been the
value if the price had been the same as
1t was in 1896
Considering the industry by states, Penn
sylvania holds her usual position The
combined product of anthracite and blum
nous Goals from the Keystone State
amounted to 106,000,0e0 short tons, nearly
81 per cent. of the total output Pennsyl-
Yania's percentage of the total btuminous
output was 81, her output of soft coal be-
ing o4WO000 tons. Illinois remains in sec
ono place with total of a little over 90
$4,000 short tons. West Virginia comes
third having increased her OUTPUT nearly
NNVO tons over 1896, and leading Ohio,
which comes fourth by nearly 1,25O,OOO tons.
Alabama reached her maximum output of
5S95HO tons and stands fifth. Iowa, sixth,
lacked only $1,000 tons of reaching 5000.
VV tons. Maryland produced 4,4S,OOO tons
and Indiana a little over 10000 tons.
Inc foregoing statement and the follow
ing table are based upon actual returns
rom mines representing 50 per cent. Of
ne TOTAL product. In cases where returns
have not been received careful estimates
calculated upon the production in previous
Years. nave been made, so that revision of
,hese figures by later returns will not ma
terally affect the totals.
PRODUCTION OF COAL IN UNITED
STATES IN 1897.