Gilpin observer., 1904-12-01
Colorado and Wyoming Coal.

The geological survey has prepared
its annual report on the production
of coal in the United States covering
the twelve months of 1908. While
later than usual the report still conveys
many facts of general interest, es-
pecially with regard to the production
of the various states.
1t is stated that the total coal prod
uct of Colorado for 1903 was 7,423, ,602
short tons, valued at 49, $780, ,943, an in
crease over 1902 of 22,259 tons, and in
value $753.131.
Colorado ranks first among the coal
producing states west of the Missis-
sippi river, and eighth among the en-
tire United States.
The development of coal mining in
the state has been pushed with great
energy during the last four or five
years, and Notwithstanding conditions
were unsettled during 1908, as result
of strikes among the mine workers.
the production was slightly in excess Of
that OF the preceding year. 1t was con-
siderably more than double that of
1897, and one and one-half times the
output of 1899.
A comparison of the statistics OF
1908 as compared with those of 1902
SHOWS IudI Ill lile ldltT year lucTc was
decrease in the average production
per man employed for the entire year
and an increase in the average tonnage
per man per day. In 1902 there were
S,956 men employed, who worked an
average of 261 days, producing 7,4O1.-
343 short tons, or S26 tons per man.
In 1903 the number of employees was
1929, working an average of 245 days
and producing 7,423,602 short tons, or
an average of S04 tons per man for the
year. The daily average production
per man in 1902 was 316. while in
1908 it increased to 1928. showing a
greater intensity of labor during the
time the mines were operated. The
time lost by strikes is illustrated in
the decrease from an average of 261
working days in 1902 to 245 in 1908.
Las Animas was by far the greatest
coal producing county in the state,
turning out 3,213,743 tons. Huerfano
was second with 1856.
Coal production began in Colorado in
1864, but it was not until 1876 that the
production reached 100000 tons. From
that time it has increased with remark
able rapidity, reaching total of 1000,-
900 tons in 1882, 100000 in 1888. The
100000 ton mark was turned in 1890,
three years later the next million was
reached, and the 100000 was turned
in 1900. The big jump was from $780,
OILS tons in 1902 to 401,343 tons in
1903.
The col output of Wyoming for the
year 1903 amounted to 4.635,293 short
tons, valued at s5,731 ,2S1. Compared
with 1902 there was an increase of 205,-
802 tons in quantity, and of $494,942 in
value. The production in Wyoming in
1903, like that of the most cOal-produc-
ing states, was the largest ever OBJ
tanned.
According to the returns to survey
in 1908. Wyoming has the record of the
largest number of tons produced per
man employed during the year, for the
first time exceeding Maryland in this
respect. This increase in the roductive
capacity per man in Wyoming was
probably dueto the larger amount of
machine-mined coal. The returns for
the year show a total production for
the year of 928 tons per man, as COM
pared with 843 tons in 1902. The av-
erage production per man per day was
3.6S tons last year as compared with
3.4 tons the year previous.