The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-07-01
The MODERN METHODS OF
UTILIZING Ignite COAL
Professor Snyder Tells Of the Possibilities Of Vast Coal Beds
Of North Dakota Before the Recent State
Bankers Convention

The speeches delivered at the recent
convention of the North Dakota state
Bankers association were all Of de-
sidedly practical nature. There was
tendency to get away from fiowery
lalk and get down to brass tacks." OF
the speeches none were of a more prac-
teal nature than the one delivered by
Professor Snyder on, Modern Methods
Of Utilizing Ignite. Mr.. Snyder
spoke as follows:
Fuel is one of the most serious and
important problems which today con-
fronts the people of North Dakota.
Practically the entire eastern half of
the state is using Pennsylvania, West
Virginia and Ohio Goals, which are inn
ported a distance of over 1900 miles.
That is, North Dakota Is dependent
upon distant field for one Of the most
essential needs of life in this country,
coal.
The dependence upon eastern coal
nas many disadvantages. Since the
coal Is shipped for such a long
distance, the ultimate cost to the con-
sumner is very high, the retail price of
Pennsylvania anthracite varying from
BIO to $12 per ton and bituminous coal
from $3.50 to SO. Further, since the
source of the coal supply is so distant
from the market there is the ever pres
snt dread Of coal famine due to bliz-
cards, strikes and car shortage.
According to the report of the United
States census, the average yearly con-
sumption of coal per capita In the
United States is 55 tons. At this rate
North Dakota used in 1910, 3,173,O00
tons of coal. Since the production of
domestic Ignite was only 100000 tons,
then there must have been 2,773,000
ions imported into the state from east
ern coal fields. But, considering the
tact that there is practically no manu-
featuring in the state, suppose this
Hgure be reduced to 100000 tone per
year. Then If value of IS per ton be
placed on this coal. it is evident that
North Dakota expended in 1910 ST.
100000 for foreign coal.
The N. .. Coal Area.
According to the United States geo.
logical survey, North Dakota has a
larger coal area and tonnage than any
other state in the union. The latest
government report gives the total area
Of the total area and an estimated ton
mage of 500, 0O0, 100000 tons or one
sixth of the total coal tonnage of the
United States.
It is to be noted then that North Da-
kota. which has the most extensive
coal fields in the country. buys prac-
tically all of its coal from foreign dis
tricts and pays high prices for the
privilege. However, North Dakota has
not been blind to the Importance of
utilizing its immense deposits of lig-
mite coal. Two years ago the state
legislature appropriated $4,000 for the
establishment of an experimental sta
ton with a view of developing meth
Cd whereby Ignite could be converted
into an economical and high grade
coal AS the result Of this work, a
briquetting process has been worked
out which is bound sooner or later to
revolutionize the coal situation In
North Dakota.
Ignite. like other coalss is of vege-
table origin. but its derivation can be
traced more readily than the bitumi-
nous or anthracite for being a consid-