The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1908-11-12
EDITORIAL COMMENT
Mortt Dakota State Agricultural College to Develop
Fuel Posaibitea Of Lianite Coal.

"
with the farming and industrial interests OF the
state, the Agricultural College, through the de-
,artment Of engineering. is preparing to make d
study Of the Ignite Goals from the various mines
eli the state, with view to determining tnelr ~
ness for briquetting. " C. Parker, one OF the sen
Tors in the department, has been put In charge or
she experimental work and is at present engaged IN
fitting up laboratory with the necessary apparatus
for the work.
The briqquetting of low grade fuels and hgnltes
il Furnishing industry in several European eoun-
s.ies, notably Austria, Belgium, France and Ger
many AS yet there has been no definite effort
i ei1e to determine the briquetting properties OF
north Dakota ignite, but there seems to be no
good reason why it could not be accomplished
With the 10000 square miles Of Ignite deposits in
mis- state, it would mean much for the Industrial
fature of the country if method is discovered by
means Of which the coal be briquetted cheapiy
and effectively.
In order to obtain the material for the invest
cations, the department is writing to the managers
Ct representative mines the state asking them
10 send samples of IS pounds or so Of their coal
to the college laboratories. With the request for
the sample is also sent information blank ask
ing for data concerning the depth of NINE thickness
Of vein, etc. When the samples are received at
the college they will be labeled and fled two
sounds OF the coal being taken out, ground and
packed in Theoretically sealed vessels for moisture
tests, while the rest is kept for the briquettlng
tests proper
The Investigation as planned by the department
includes complete chemical analysis of the Goals
distalaton test for the determination of the
amounts OF tarry substances, caiorimeter test
Tor the determining of the fuel value of the COAL
and the briquetting tests. many of which will be
made from each sample to try the efetcs of differ
ont indie OF
treatments of the fuel
Inc work of collecting material, arranging
ehinery and apparatus for the tests. and gathering
data from other experiments has already been
started. and the department expects to commence
the actual experimental work with the coal i'm
meiately after the first Of the year. The work
viii be carried on during the entire year. and II
not finished at the end Of that time will be con-
ttnued next year. 1t is the desire Of the depart
nent of engineering to prove conclusively that
North Dakota Ignite can be proitabiy brquetted
and marked. and that such briquetts are better
than the ordinary lump coal for the consumers
II the department succeeds in demonstrating
what it believes is true in regard to Ignite brl
auettes it will the opening up Of the west
portion Of this state to all kinds OF manutac-
turing industries, and permanent increase IN the
value of coal lands which will put millions OF dol
las in the pockets of their owners. AS almost
every farmer in the western potion Of the state
bas coal mine his farm, this will benefit prac-
tcaiy the whole of the population of that section,
aud promise to be far reaching in its results.
Bryan has not lost heart, and is now claimed
that he will be candidate again in 1912. The
practice which he will receive in the next campaign
ought to help considerable in giving the old boy
good show in the campaign in 1916. Yes it's true.
mighty good fellow never the less, one of the
TEST orators that this country produced, and
lie has served good purpose. Byan had mission
10 peform and he has done his work well. Such
Bryan needed to keep the Republican
leaders in the straight and narrow way. We
really can't spare him from the lecture platform,
even if he has to be cheated out of his lfe's am
bition
Gov. Burke will have the job Of appointing two
judge to the supreme court of the state before
scng as the amendment to the constitution provid
ing five instead Of three judges carried Who will
burke be likely to appoint? From political stand
point he would more than likely appoint Democrats
but the judgship should be kept out Of politics
az much as possible it would be no more than
at the time that he makes the important appoint
msnts. We trust that NIinot will be able to furnish
one Of the judges We have plenty Of good
material. =.
~
Joe Cannon of Illinois, has been reelected to
congress which seems to be mistake. Cannon, as
chairman of the House of Representatives has been
barrier against good legislation in many casesbut
il ve must have the old codger in the House OF
Representatives, let us hope that he will not be
selected chairman Cannon is a foxy Old politician.
Taft has sounded the key note Of prosperity for
this country for the next four years, in speech
before the Cincinnati Commercial club. He said:
:o-x, my