Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-08-25
ROUTE
MAY MAKE COAL
PRICES DROP
MANUFACTURERS RECORD FIG
UREs ON MINERAL DEVELOP
MENT OF ooUTH BY ALL
WATER ROUTES.

BALTIMORE, Aug. 2S.-In an article in
this weeks Manufacturers Record dis
cussing the development OF southern min
eral resources through railroad extension.
Mr.. Frederick E. saward, after pointing
TO the fame won by New River steam
coal and TO the expansion OF the coal min
ing industry In Alabama in recent years
and 10 the prospects of that Industry when
the Warrior river coal may be laid
down at New Orleans by the all water
route at a less figure than coal is to be
had for now at any seaboard point
says:
The West Virginia Central is making
every preparation 10 increase Its tonnage
and statements have been made by par
ties connected with IL, that the annual
tonnage will run UP TO 100000 tons. and
that this will be marketed without any
interference with what might be called
the interest OF other lines. simply because
there will be a demand for this coal, and
the West Virginia Central will have
equipment to take care Of II.
There is a demand for soft coal in all
cities. both east and west, and the pro-
duction is increasing in all the states OF
the south, but the demand keeps up so
that In many districts the price has al
ready been advanced. The coal tonnage
OF the Norfolk and Western for the month
OF July was the largest July In its history,
and 1 am told that August is expected to
be even greater; the possibilities for the
next year are ahead of any tonnage here
tofore known. and yet the Norfolk and
Western turned over $685. $40 tons Of coal
and ]. $50, l47 tons of coke in the fiscal year
last reported on. IL the railroad company
can furnish the facilities for transporting
the coal. the fields output this month bids
fair TO be the largest in its history. The
activity OF the Seaboard Air Line In south
western Virginia has already been made
public, but when the line from Lincolnton
to Southport, n. C, shall have been com
pleted another large carrier of bituminous
coal will be available for the coastwise
trade; in fact, IL is said that this will give
the Seaboard a position as a bituminous
coal carrier equal in many respects TO the
leading systems devoted to that trade.
THAT the railroads of the south are
making every effort to build up the gen.
eral trade OF the cities OF the south is
seen in the competition for business. The
rate of freight on coal has been made 81
per ton from all the coal mines into Mem
phis. The Illinois Central was the first
to make this advantageous rate, followed
by the Southern and the Louisville and
Nashville. The reduction which the rail-
roads have given in the coal rates will
amount to over S1o0,O annually from the
tariff Of the past winter and spring. That
amount Will be saved to the coal dealers
OF Memphis. and manufacturers using
steam power. and at the same time in
dustry and general business will be In
creased by this stimulating effort Of the
railroad companies.
The land taken up by Senator Elxins
in Preston county. West Virginia, runs
up to 1000 acres. on which mines are to
be opened as soon as the surveys have
been completed. A railroad is to be built
TO connect with the Baltimore and Ohio
at Rowlesburg. Ohio. hear that Col. j.
W. Guffey. of Pittsburg, has taken up the
options which he secured several months
ago on coal lands in the eastern section
OF Taylor county, West Virginia, and IL
Is stated that the newly-acquired property
will be opened up at an early date. When
the Berwind-White people get at work
on their 2. OO0-acre tract down in the Po-
cahontas district things will hum along
the Norfolk and Western. 1 am told that
development work will be going on there
before frost comes in that section. we
need all this coal development. for our
industries devoted TO the production OF
everything needed at home and abroad
are all growing. and none OF them can
exist or flourish without coal, and the
south has plenty of it,
In the southwest. also. much is expected
of coal development. Correspondence or
the Manufacturers Record from Fort
Smith. Ark. says on this point:
1T Is felt that In coal wealth alone in
the district OF which Fort Smith is the
trading centre. the most important point
and the destined permanent metropolis,
there is sufficient TO build up here a city
OF large proportions. Three measures OF
coal are worked in this district. Although
nothing like extensive development has
occurred in many places, some 1900 min
ers are al work within a radius of 40
miles, including the well known Jenny
Lind mines OF the Missouri Pacific road In
this county. and they produce from 1900
TO 5000 tons a day. This production is
certain 20 be vastly increased IN the near
future. and there viii be greater intro
duction Of coke ovens. the product OF
which Is now Ehipped TO Mexico as well
as TO local points. The three Goals formo
ing the bulk OF the product in this section
are a bituminous. carrying 50 per cent.
OF fixed carbon: a semi anthracite, the
field extending from Fort Smith 20 within
60 miles OF Little Rock. and a smokeless
coal surprising the Pocahoutas. found in
a large part Of Sebastian and Scott coun-
ties. and beginning a few miles TO the
south OF Fort Smith. These veins are in
thickness from thirty-two inches to eight
feet. and in some places are so near the
surface that stripping IS resorted to-"