The San Francisco call., 1908-05-24
MAP SHOWS AREAS
OF COAL DEPOSITS
Geological Survey Offers Latest
Information as to Quan.
tity and Quality

WASHINGTON. May 23.-The need of
conserving the mineral fuels of the
country for the use OF future gener
times during the last few years, not
only in numerous magazine and news
paper articles. but in a number of re-
ports emanatins from the government
bureau especially charged with the
investigation of the mineral resources
OF the national domain--the geological
survey. The statements that the coal
supply Of the country is far from be-
available is susceptible of measure
ment, and that no very long look into
the future is required to see the end
graphically justified by a map just pub
nshed by the national survey.
somewhat similar map was issued
by the surrey in 1906, but the work Of
the biologists in the western coal fields
In the last two years has added so
much to the known extent OF those
fields that a new and revised edition
has become necessary.
SHOW COAL AREAS
The map now presented to the public
is unique in several particulars. II not
only shows the location and extent of
the coal deposits of the United States
but also by variation in color and
depth Of shading the character of the
Goals In each Of the great fields and
the depth at which they occur beneath
the surface.
For the first time an attempt has
been made to represent the coal in the
deep basins, or "synclines." as the
biologists term them, of the Rocky
mountain states. where there is every
reason to suppose that coal exists, al
though IL is so deeply covered by later
sediments as to be accessible with
great difficulty, IL at ALL Other new
features Of the map ere the explana-
tions printed on the side margins, de-
scribing the character and geologic age
Of the various Goals, and the accom-
panying tables, which give estimates OF
the amount of coal originally present in
the deposits. the quantity that has been
removed and the amount still avail
able, subdivided into deposits easily
reached and those accessible with diff
Guilty.
The data upon which the tables are
based are confessedly incomplete, for
future Investigations OK the biologists,
especially those of the western and
southern fields. may further extend
deposits, and the estimates at best
but roughly approximate the true fig
ures.
MATTER OF SPECULATION
The extent and value of some OF the
beds In areas containing low grade
coal or Ignite are still matters OF spec
ulation- This is particularly true OF
the Ignite fields Of the gulf province
(except those OF Texas), the Ignite
areas Of South Dakota and the Ignite
anu tDidCK DEDllct
fields OF the Fort Union region in
eastern Montana.
Information in regard to the extent,
value and even the existence OF the coal
fields of the Pacific coast province is
also very neager, and the game may
be said of the fields in southern and
southeastern Utah, where there are
probably many. areas of coal bearing
rocks though the coal may be OF little
commercial Importance.
But these gaps in the record are
believed not to detract greatly from
the value of either map or tables,
which. representing the latest work of
the geologists of the United States geo.
logical survey, can not fail to arouse
the interest of the rapidly increasing
number Of people who are vitality con-
cerned in the conservation of the great
wealth OF the country.
Like the other maps issued by the
survey the coal map will be sold at
the cost of paper and printing. Its price
being o cents.