The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1910-02-03

all at home. It Is tremendous
amount of difference in the wealth OF
the state and in stringent times
would almost mean the difference be-
tween hard times and afauence.
It IS not altogether the fault of the
people at large that we do not use
more Of our home product. In a
large part it is due to the inability
of the mines to supply the demand
and also in large measure due to the
ignorance Of the people both as to the
coal and the method of using it. The
railroads of the state also come in
| for a measure of reproof in the fact
that they have been very careful in
supplying cars for the transportation
of the coal, especially during the busy
season of the year. The long haul
from Duluth means additional freight
and the return of cars used in ship
ping wheat filled with coal. This is
very much in evidence in suit now
in progress before the U. S. supreme
court, where they are doing all in
their power to knock out the mini
mum coal freight law passed a few
wears ago in this state. Should this
law be sustained it would mean
still greater reduction of the fuel bill
of the state and an added interest in
the production of Ignite coal. The
rate established by this law is
higher rate than that on the eastern
roads for hauling coal, yet the roads
of this state claim that it is confis-
catory-and are attempting to shield
themselves behind this wonderful new
doctrine, as new and as senile as an
Immunity BATH" In his talks to the
farmers of North Dakota have not
heard Mr.. Hill mention the coal rate
case.
The largest population of the state
is in the eastern and northern part
and to the greater portion of this the
Minot Ignite fields are the nearest
in point of distance, and consequently
the coal from this field has the'great'
er territory for expansion. It istsafs
to say that at least 100000 fam
lilies in the state are nearer to the
Minot coal fields than any other coal
fields in the state and that the bal
ance of the state is divided among
the remaining fields and places them
to a certain disadvantage in their
market expectations. Instead of prob
ably little over a hundred thousand
tons being mined here each year
there should be at least 10000 tons
shipped each year and yet allow for
the inroads from all the other fields
in this territory. This could not be
done for probably a few years. but
with tudicious mining operations and
efficient sales force it could be &c
comptished. It would be a great help
to both the operators and to the con-
sumers.
It is remarkable that in state
where the fuel bill is one of the great
est household expenses, We think so
little of the cost and make so little
endeavor to reduce the expense. It
is safe to say that not one family IN
ten have ever made any practical
comparisons. The difference in the
average family is from twenty-five to
forty per cent and when the fuel DILL
runs from 500 up, the saving is very
material. In a few years it amounts
to the difference from a we'll to do
family to one struggling for mainten-
ance.
The state could not do better than
start a campaign for the consumption
of the home fuel as against the too
frequent use of the eastern product.
The saving to the state of 100000
yearly is certainly worth an effort in
that direction. It means in round
NUMBERS saving of $40 yearly for
each person in the state.
If any one is skeptical regarding
this matter let him only take his
pencil and spend ten minutes in care
full figuring and he will discover that
my estimates are not too extravagant
but are in fact conservative.
We need more capital engaged In
the coal business and we need more
general Information regarding ignite
coal and the manner of using it. AS
time progresses we will have better
and simpler methods Of handling it,
but that really does not matter at
present to any one except the owners
of coal land-it means an increased
valuation of the coal land to them. It |
Is not important to the consumer.
He will get the benefits then also and
will be all the more ready to take |
advantage of it by reason of his bet
ter understanding of the COAL
K. E. Leighton,
Minot, N. d.
Chas. L. Rouse has started suit