The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-10-14
INDIA HAS COAL
 ID SUPPLY EAST Japan the Only Competitor in
 the Orient MINING METHODS CRUDE Government Has Established College for Scientific Training of Native
 Engneers-Miner Accom-
 plshes Small Results.
MINING METHODS CRUDE

Washington.-Re the owner and operator of coal mines in Bengal was in the office of Consul General William H. Michael, at Calcutta, and stated that he pays his coolie labor Il annas or 22 cents per ton for moning coal, and that it costs him about 55 cents a ton mine, screen and load on the cars. MT. Michael writes further:
 All of the coal of India is bituminous Some of it is hard and glossy and is much like Rocky Springs. Wyo., coal Such coal retails in Calcutta at annas or 16 cents per maund S2 pounds). There are 27 maunds per ton, which would make a ton cost S441 By purchasing a ton or more at one time the rate Is fram $2.0S to $2.2i per ton.
 The coal fields now operated in Bengal. the native states of Central India, and Hyderabad. A comparison of the figures officially given out will show that India is first among the coal-producing depend- encies of Great Britain. In answer to my question as to whether there were other coal deposits not yet opened, l was as- sured that the coal fields of India had scarcely been touched that Indias coal field is estimated to cover 35,O0O square miles. The total output during 1905 was :, 7,762. .779 tons. Bengal. in which Calcutta is situated, supplied 93 per cent of thls amount.
 Japan Exhausting Her Coal.
 Japan is at present Indas only real competitor In the Orient; but, considering the difference in the extent of the coal fields of India and those of Japan, 1t is reasonable to conclude that the day Is not far off when India will control the Far Eastern coal market. The conclusion Is
 
 coco square miles of coal field Her pres ent annual output is 10,0O0,OOO tons, which is in excess of the Indian mines, but this is a small tonnage compared with what India is capable of producing. The lat ter has the coal, abundant cheap labor. and the capital also convenient water transportation to the sea. The hauls by rail are short and comparatively mex pensive This service Is being supplied as rapidly as possible to meet the de- mands of the inland trade.
 In referring to the coal future, the chief inspector of mines for India observes that the chief need for a sound development of the Indian coal fields Is improvement in superintendence and working capacity of the miner. The methods of working the mines are crude and unscientlhc, and this results in not only smaller output than should be expected, but also in great 1 Government of India has estabnshed a college which has a large attendance, at Sibpore, for the scientific training of native engineers with special reference to coal mining. It is believed that the classes at tlus institution will furnsh .le needed skilled assistants to European su- perintendents.
 The Indian miner performs work under ground much as the Indian laborer does on top of the ground. Whatever kind of labor he undertakes he brings to 1t an easy-going manner and bone and muscle that are far inferior to that of the Eng fish miner or the miners in America. In l fact he accomplishes less than half the results of the western miner. He has not the physique, having inherited small bones, light muscles and an easy way from his ancestors. It is believed, how ever, that he is growing stronger and becoming more capable. and that in time the coal miners of India will by heredity become almost equal to coal miners any where.
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