The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1904-08-20

BIG INCREASE IN WEST
VIRGINIA PRODUCTION
OF COAL.
tR. w. Egan, in Pittsburg Dispatch
l West Virginia's greatest prosperity
dates from the days of Mckinley
first term. Republicans charge that
the development of the State was due
to their protective tariff laws, but
Democrats say this claim is eXtrava-
giant; that God endowed the State
with advantages which were certain
/ to insure industrial activity. and
which political party could not in
terfere with. However, 1t is singular
! what effect. the administration Of Gro
Yer Cleveland had on the production
Of the State, and how the tonnage
was increased during the terms of Nc
Ilinley and Roosevelt.
| Coal is now being mined in "a coun-
ties, and at the close of this year it
| IS anticipated that over 2S,O0O, 900 tons
will have been the production. The
gross value of all coal produced in
1908 was SSo.29S.S39. In the State
and this year the production of coke
will possibly exceed 2,75O.oOo tons.
There are probably $4,000 men work
ing in and about the many coke mines
of the State.
Figures Tell the Story.
Statistics showing the production of
coke from 1892 to 1898 afford inter
esting figures for comparison. In
1892 the production was 9,139.155 tons
and in 1898 about 1o,93o,o7o. In
1894 11.627,75T. Republicans charge
was then in evidence, because the fol-
lowing year only I1.2S7,961 tons of
coal were produced. There was de-
crease in the tonnage of '94 and '95
aggregating 249,79G tons. The follow
ing year after the election of Will
liam Mckinley, activity in the coal
fields was renewed, as shown by an
increase in production of 2,122,OO3
tons. And there has been a proper
tionate increase in tonnage ever
since The figures of 1897 show an
output OF 1436o,455: 1898. 1G.o1o,24s:
1899, 1G.25O,150: 1900. 1S,SS6,911: |
1901, 2O.29o,991: 1902. 23,359,OS3, and
1908. 22.913,6es tons.
With additional railroads thousands |
of acres OF coal land will be tapped |
and the production promises to eX-
coed 100000.
West Virginia has been manufac-
turing coke since 1850. When Gro
yer Cleveland was elected President
iii 1892 the industry suffered from
business depression. In 1893 coke
statistics show decrease In tonnage
or 242,52O tons. But with the begin
ming of Republican administration
in 1896 an increase in production OF
564 $40 tons is recorded. There has
been corresponding increase ever
since.
Republican campaign orators intend
to distribute broadcast over the State
Virginia has prospered during the
past twelve years and to revive the
ghost business depression during the
four years previous There are toll
day over 70 different iron. steel and
lin plate mills in the State. About
sixty firms are manufacturing leath-
er goods as a result of the wealthy
timber forests. The tobacco grown
n West Virginia is responsible for
he fifty or more factories manufac-
-uring cigars. There are 30 glass
in the State. The textile.
brewery. brick and tile. wooden, pulp
ind pap1 mills are all hourishing.
There are over As 900 men Al work
n $50 industries hourishins in the
State, This does not refer to the pc
roleum Or coal business
The Oil fields of West Virginia are
wealth for owners of land
nd the big operators every day The :
Industry Is now fiourishing in many
ounties. Although 80 years old there ;,
re two wells near Burning Springs,
u Writ county, still producing. The
aodern Development of the oil inter
st dates from 1889. In 1876 the !
hole production of the State amount
d to about 10000 barrels. The pro-
uction in 1898 was 1868, 1856 bar
els. There has been an increase ev-
ry year since then. but it is mot be- =
eyed that the record of '9S will ever