Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-04-21
TO HAUL COAL OUTPUT
CARRYING ROADS TO INCREASE
THEIR FACILITIES.
Plans of the G. and o. and Other Lines
Vast Growth in Pro-
duction.

This country continues to lead in the coal
production of the world. According to the
official statistics the annual production for
last year of the entire universe reached
900. 600 600 tons. The United States mined
more than 10 per cent of that amount, OF
about 354, 0OO, 900 tons. The expectation of
coal to foreign countries amounted to about
10000. 900 tons, leaving an actual consump-
ton In the states of $4,000 100000 tons.
The increase In the production of coal In
the United States has been steady ever
since the more advanced methods of mining
were introduced. In 1852 the output
reached loo, 1000 coo tons. and in 1896. four
teen years later, the 2OO.000,OO0 mark was
passed. In the next six years, however,
the production Increased SO per cent, and
more than 301. 5S2 600 tons were placed on
the market. The increase Of the year 1903
over the preceding year amounted to more
than IA per cent.
The West Virginia Field.
The coal fields of West Virginia are re-
garded as one of the chief contributors to
the fuel production Of the United States.
The increase in output in that state in
twenty three years amounted to more than
700 per cent, reckoned upon the production
of 1880 and that of 1903. In 1880 there was
mined in the state 1855, SS5 tons, while In
1908 the output reached "a, $50 600 tons. The
increase in production in the state of Ken
lucky has likewise been remarkable.
The great production Of West Virginia
and Kentucky, and, in fact, the other states
Of the east, has been source OF tnnumer-
able profitable opportunities for the rail-
road systems in the respective states. Inc
increase of 1903 surpassed the highest ex-
pectations of the railroad magnates. and In
anticipation of further increase the pres
ent year and the years to follow pans are
Il Ro~
ments of the systems operating the coai
fields of the eastern states. rms Is es-
uecially true of the railroads In Pennsyl-
vania, Maryland, West Virginia, virginia
and Kentucky.
II is learned that the officials OF the
chesapeake and Ohio, the Baltimore anu
Ohio, the Pennsylvania, the Norioik anu
western and the steamship lines connect
ing with the Chesapeake and ONO AT New
mort News. Va, purpose to expend large
sums of money the approaching summer IN
the Improvement and extension oI eno1.
facilities for the transportation OF coa'.
is stated that the demands upon THESE sys-
TENS have been 30 great that 1t mas peen
difficult to furnish sumcient nu,Ipe
cars to handle the traffic, and for that rea-
son the officials are making an emory ~ %"
Ia r1e their facilities as soon as posSipie.
The development OF the coal mines IN ING
New river and Kanawha feId along ule
line of the Chesapeake and ONO RAM
n IL expected, will forge West virginia "
second
states. within the next year. The new river
and Kanawha fields have been source OF
much revenue to the Chesapeake and ONO
system and in return, the operators are
Continually demanding increased facihues.
improvements in this line have oeen ~
progress since the opening OF the neio, WIN
the result that such facilities have peen
increased practically triple within the last
year.
General Manager C. e. Doyle Of the Ches-
apeake and Ohio system is now In CONFER
ence with the operators with regard 10
further improvements in the coal field. Spe-
cial attention is being paid to the trans
portation Of coal to the foreign markets
from the fields in West Virginia. Virginia
and Kentucky, which ID practically con-
trolled by the Chesapeake and Ohio. 10
handle the great amount OF coal exported
from Newport News the system has recent"
ly installed the most modern and labor
saving devices used for such purposes, at
q great cost.
General Manager Doyle Of the CHESAPEAKE
and Ohio, and the officials Of other rail-
roads, including the Baltimore ana ONO
and the Norfolk and Western, 1t Is learned,
intend to have the plans for the construc-
ton work now in progress in the coal heids
of West Virginia, Virginia and Kentucky
enlarged to such an extent as to practicaliy
double the present facilities.