The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-12-25
MARYLAND'S COAL
OUTPUT DECLINING
Few Tons and Lower Price
at Mines in 1909

Both the output Of coal and the price
per ton has decreased in the coal fields
Of Maryland during the year 1863. accord
ing TO the figures given out by the United
States Survey. These estimates have
been secured by cooperation with the
Census Bureau.
In 1907 the total output from Maryland
mines was 5.552.G short tons; in 1908 il
was 4.377 ,093 short tons, or a decrease of
1,l55,535 short tons. and in 1903 it was
4O22,IS1 short tons. During this time the
value has decreased from $6623.6J7 TO
81. 40 So. Coal that brought Sl.20 a ton
at the mines in 1867 was sold in 1903 for
Sill a ton, the lowest average price since
1906.
Cause of Decreased Production.
The decreased production Of coal in
Maryland during the last two years ap-
pears 20 have been due 10 the approach
ing exhaustion of the Maryland big
vein. the portion Of the Pittsburg bed
that has furnished the larger part OF the
Maryland output. which is popularity
known as Georges Creek coal. In q few
. years TIE k4itMiltA anu AHfIf hEAE Will bN
furnishing the markets formerly supplied
by the big vein coal. but these beds
VIII be mined at a greater cost and their
product must be sold al higher price or
al less profit. In the aggregate, hesgever,
the quantity Of coal that may be won
from these thinner beds lar exceeds the
original contents of the celebrated big
vein. Increased competition with West
Virginia coal, particularly that coming
from the fields opened up by the new
JiTginian Railway, is regarded as the
chief cause of the decline in the price OF
Maryland coal in 1893 and 1902
Machine Mining.
In 1909 as in 1903, thirty-nine mining
machines were owned by the eoal-min-
ing companies Of Maryland. but not all
OF these machines were IN use. The ma
chine-mined coal decreased from s1S. 1874
short tons in 1908 10 III, IS tons, OF %
per cent of the total production in 1893.
None Of the Maryland coal is washed.
The only labor trouble in 1909 was a
strike Of twenty-five men at one mine.
but as the men were out only seven days
the idleness did not affect the production.
Accidents.
--lE Ai4AA ten Ns44 E-t AaAsAL anu 80
nOnfatal accidents have occurred in
mines in Maryland. The cause of the ac-
cidents have been reported TO the Geo
logical Survey by John II Douahue
mine inspector for the last two years, in
which there were - fatal accidents and
l72 men injured. None of the accidents
during the thirteen years were due TO ex-
plosiOns. In 1853 there were % accidents,
Il being fatal. OF these i fatal accidents
al but 4 were due to fails OF roof OF coal
and A of the Is nonfataI accidents were
due TO this cause.
Maryland Coal Marketing.
Coal wSs discovered in the Georges
Creek basin as early as 17S2. but the first
Eastern shipments of Maryland coal were
made in 1890, when small amounts were
sent by bargeS down the Potomac Ship
ment by barges was so destructive Of life
and involved so much loss of coal that
it was soon abandoned. and it was not
until the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
was built. in 1872, that the industry be-
gan to become important. The first ship
ments over the Chesapeake and Ohio
Canal from Cumberland were made in
1850.