Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-08-22

tween Calais and Eastport, in Wash
ington county. Rocks have been found
there, largely red sandstone. which
nave much the appearance of certain
coal bearing formations. From time to
tinle this region has been visited by
biologists, who have given it but a
hasty, cursory examination. From the
character of the place, fossil plants
md animals being in no wise album
1ant difference of opinion has arisen
among experts as to the geological age
Of the formation. No coal was ever
discovered there though slight traces
Of carbonaceous material are evident,
such as may occur in rocks of almost
any age. ~ $ *"'h
Several thousands of dollars have
been spent examining rocks for the eX-
stence of coal, but all efforts have re
suited in nothing. Last winter inter
ested parties in Calais and other places
nearby We're unsuccessful in trying to
secure State aid for coal invcstiga-
tons
The survey commission, however,
deemed il extremely desirable to have
the whole field explored with a view to
the interest and advantage of that sec
| ton of the State. Accordingly, DR..
Smith and DR. David White, also of the
| United state geological survey, have
spent the past few weeks in survey
| inc between Calais and PASSPORT. DIR.
| White is thoroughly familiar with the
| coal formations of Pennsylvania and
| other states. They find that the rock
| supposed to be coal bearing We're de-
| posited in a basin one layer above an
| other. Since deposition these rocks
| have been somewhat upturned and
| eroded so that the edges are every
| where visible. No better locality could
| anywhere be found for the study OF
| the order of succession in the beds
| TO the bitter disappointment Of the
| parties concerned, there was, in no
| case, any outcrop of coal to be seen;
nor was there amy tireclay, such rs al
| most invariably accompanies coal
| seams. During the growth of this
! formation, from time to time heavy
| outbursts of volcanic matter occurred
| which is now seen in exposed dikes of
| lava. And sometimes beds of lava ana
| volcanic ash are found interStratitled
! with the sandstoneS and limeStOnes. If
| beds of vegetable matter had been ac-
cumulated in early times in connection
with these. they would have been sure
IN destroyed by the intensity of the
heat
Dr. Smith and DR.. White We're also
able to make a considerable collection
of fossils. from Il study of which they
determined that the geological age of
all rocks is greater than amy known TO
contain coal in any part OF the world.
Such formations OF these ages might
| possiblv have contained natural gas
or petroleum, but so great was the IN
tensity OF volcanic action in this par
ticular locality. that there is no posi-
bility of finding them in the Perry re-
| giOn, contrary to the eager eXpecta-
| ton OF many property owners, actual
and prospective. Any further eNpendl-
ture of money in the search of these
valuable economic mineral substances,
gold and coal, will be entirely rash ana
futile.
The Survey commission believes that
the saving of money by dscouraging
i the promotion Of unwise and insecure
eutcruri4e and investments is quit" as
, important as the actual making OF mon
tv and they think that the small eN
npnditurp on the part OF the state II
Internationally timely and eXpedient. At
the same time. however, tn" members OF
the commission regret very much Inal
they cannot give encouragement along
the lines Of gold and coal
| Dr. Smith Will also visit the Green
field district near Bangor, and tn" F!Sh
river locality in Ar0oStook, where II Is
believed by some that coal heirlns PEE
, will be found. Many rumorS have been
z rife about coal there, bur nothing DEFINITE
is vet known.
1t will he many years before me nip