Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-08-30
United States Government Asks
Mine Operators to Partici-
pate In Coming Test
TRY TO PREVENT MINE WASTE
Government Geological Survey Co
Operating With State Geological
Surveys of the Middle West In En-
deavor to Lead In Mineral Develop
ment Of Country.

be tested by the government OF the
United States for the purpose OF ae-
termining its relative value Tor the
production Of steam, for the manufac-
ture OF coke and for other commercial
purposes of very great Importance.
Already leading mine operators have
been asked to participate in the tests
which are about to begin at st. LOUIS.
Each is asked to donate a car load Oh
coal. Mine operators who are inter-
ested in the proposed tests have peen
asked to notify the state geologist,
Frank A. Wilder at the State Univer-
s,tv at Iowa City, and he will consult
with them in person
Among the samples that Will be sent
in to st. Louis for testing during the
coming month will be car lo.s from
Gleason Coal Co., Fort Dodge.
Gibson Coal Co.. Des MONIES.
Enterprise Coal Co, Des MONIES.
whitebreast Fuel Co.. Cleveland
Inland Coal Co., Charlton.
Powers mines, near Bussey.
Rex Fuel Co. near Bussey.
Smoky Hollow Coal Co.. avery.
Phillips Coal Co. Ottumwa.
Centerville Block Coal Co., center
Vile. - .a
All the mines in Iowa that nave
largo future before them nave peeii
asked to participate in the tests ny w
nating for this purpose car ioao "
coal. ,a 4, tho
u &c in an endeavor to lead IN the
mineral development OF the COUNT
that the United States geoiogicai SUI
vev has established this testing pia.''
ar st. Louis, and it is thru co-opeia.-
ing with the state geological sutses
- Tho middle west that the government
MI, ,est the leading Goals In the MISS
issippi valley. ;, 49,, donated
hv manufacturers in this country anu
Europe. and q very compiete ou'AA'
been brought together. .aaa
The railroads, seeing the signliicahcs
of the movement, are hauiins .ns
without charge, and the ieaa'iis -
owners are donating car loaa sai'p4ss'
The tests will embrace:
steam test under standard poiiei 2
for eight-hour periods. Such
determine the efficiency OF coai inueA
better than analysis. Mine ruii, iu
ana slack will be tested, depenalhs y"
M normal output of the mine Iuriisn-
ing the sample. J.. 20.
Uyasherv tests will be MADE TO re-
duce the sulphur and ash IN the ms
coal with modern appliances, LON
~ coal can be washed for SIX cents
ana tho time is not far distant Wneh
trada conditions will Justify the eS
tahlishment Of washeries In iowa. as
they have in the east. -
cokinr tests, saving the gas anu
other by-products. Iowa at present -
;mnorting all of it's coke and gas coai.
n ia hoped that after washing ana
briouetting, the Iowa coal may be use
full for these purposes. In us naturd.
condition, it is too high In sulphur anu
the coke lacks structural strength.
Rriouetting the slack. TINS reHhe-
mont ia probably not justified by exist
jnp trade conditions, but ten years VIII
baraly elapse before coal briquettes
win he common on the Iowa market.
The tests about to be made Will show
the cost Of their manufacture from tho
iowa coal and their value and demon-
strate the price at which tney can Nc
manufactured at profit.
The coal mines of Iowa last year had
an output valued at more than sS,-
100000.
The cost to the consumer OF coal Is
about one half less, on the average,
than it would be if coal had to be in-
ported
Less than three per cent OF the
known coal beds of Iowa. workable at
present prices have been exhausted.
The price of fuel In the United
States is advancing steadily, and the
effort to prevent mine waste is more
vigorous These efforts take shape In
by product coke ovens. in washeries
for slack, briquetting OF fine coal. ana