Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-09-20
Information Furnished by
Prof. G. Willard Hayes.
MUCH MORE VALUABLE
THAN AMY OIL PRODUCED IN
CALIFORNIA.
What the Geological Survey Is Inves-
tigating in the West-Denies Con-
nection With Mining Journal.

Prof c. Willard Hayes of the geological
survey returned to Washington today ana
brings with him the interesting information
that oil fields have been discovered In south
western Wyoming which are yielding
product from ten to twenty times more val
ua BILE than any oil that has been produced
in California. Prof. Hayes left this city
last July and has made an extensive trip
through Utah. California. Colorado and wy
oming inspecting the work of field parties
attached to the geological survey He re-
ports also that extensive coal fields are be-
ing developed in all parts of the west and
that the survey is working in conjunction
with the general land office of the Interior
Department determining the mineral and
nou-mineral properties of vast tracts OF
government land This land has been en-
tered as AGRICULTURAL land. and Is sold at
the rate of S1.50 an acre. The geological
survey is demonstrating that much OF II Is
mineral land. and can be sold Tor SZo an
acre, which. of course, means a vast prone
for Uncle Sam.
Outlook Encouraging.
Prof Hayes started out number OF new
parties in experimental work and he Is ex-
pecting good reports from them in the
near future.
1.-THE outlook is most encouraging" said
d
Gin so far as western coal and oil fields are
concerned. There Is a considerable area
out in that section of the country that has
to be utilized and the geological survey IS
doing a great deal in making discoveries
and undertaking initial development we
want to prove beyond doubt what there is
In the land, so that proSpectorS may locate
there and improve the country and them
selves at the same time. For instance, in
- the Yampa coal fields in northern Colorado
we are developing vast areas of coal. IN
Guiding lignitic bituminous and anthracite.
Although the anthracite Is not present IN
large quantities. it is there and may be
put to good service. The bituminous Is
more plentiful and Is a good grade. This
section of Colorado has been practically I'M
discovered and absolutely undeveloped I'M
til recently. Now working there
and the new Moffitt railroad will bisect the
coal section. This will give a means of
transportation and the Yampa field should
prosper at once.
cover in southwestern Wyoming we are
working in some very valuable Ignite btu
minous coal fields, but the chief interest
centers in the production of oil. OF course
the industry IS not developed to any extent,
but the oil which Is now obtained in this
section Is far finer in quality than any Call
fornia ever has produced. I should say II
Is worth from ten to twenty times more,
but the number of wells must be materially
increased before Wyoming can compete with
California in this commodity. The Wyo-
ming oil is of the Illuminating variety and
Is being shipped to Florence. Col, for re-
filming. 1 was told that as soon as the oil
was discovered in sufficient quantities the
private companies now operating there will
build refineries on the ground and only ship
the finished product
50 In Utah and Oregon.
'Of the Utah fields 1 can say very little
for the simple. reason that our work there
Is only just begun. We have a party
working about sixty miles southeast of Salt
Lake City in the heart OF the desert coun-
try. The scientists are looking for coal, oil,
gold or anything else of value but while
the surface conditions in way encour
aging, nothing has been discovered as yet.
up in Oregon the geological survey Is
doing good work. and one that will be APP
preciated by those who follow the mining
business. We are experimenting with the
black sand deposits. endeavoring to devise
a method of extracting from this sand the
mineral qualities. Black sand Is one of the
things that miner has great trouble with.
1t as almost as heavy as gold. and lots of 1t
remains with the gold dust when the lat
ter Is taken from the sluices after the tall
ings' have been washed away. This sand
contains considerable platinum. monzonite
(which is used for making mantes for in
candescent Lamps. cromic iron (used in
making different kinds OF paints), garnet
and gold. Heretofore this sand has been
thrown away as valueless. but we think we
can devise a scheme which will result In the
saving Of the mineral qualities contained in
the sand
Prof. Hayes also went to the Oil fields of
California. where he assisted in the prep
aration OF report on that industry. This
report was begun two years ago by the late
Prof George II. Eldridge OF the geological
survey. who died last June. Prof. Hayes
was asked to finish the report.
The Mining Journal.
The recent scandal concerning the pub
Heat known as the Mining World, and
Involving dozen prominent scientists. was /
called to the attention of Prof Hayes, In
asmuch as he was included as an assistant
editor" of the publication.
II am glad you have mentioned this"
sad he, for l want to state that l never
authorized the use of my name as an asso-
ciate editor OF the Mining World. and had
II removed as soon as l saw 1t on the ed
itorial page. ! never wrote edited line
FOR the magazine In question. l have never
received cent from 1t, nor have I paid a
cent to it | have had no connection with
the Mining World in any manner whatso-
ever, and am not even a subscriber. think
this is rather positive and conclusive
statement"