Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1911-01-07
COAL TRADE BRISK
IN NEW MEXICO
DURING YEAR
MINE MINE INSPECTOR SAYS
DEMAND IS PERMANENT
Growth Of Population and Set
tlement Of New Lands Opens
Market for Fuel Which Pres
ent Mines Cannot Supply,
rBy Morning Journal Special Leased wirsl

story of the coal mining industry OF
the United States for 1910. Edward
w. Parker Of the United States Geo
logical survey says
The influence of the strike in the
coal mining states of the Mississippi
valley region was felt as far west as
the Rocky mountain states, especially
in Colorado and New Mexico. whose
coal was sent considerable distances
east and southeast in order TO make
up the deficiency caused by the strike
An increased production in coal was
obtained Notwithstanding the fact
that the strike on April 1 also affect
ed the Ignite or sub bituminous pro-
ducing districts in that state. The
tonnage from the Ignite fields In
1909 was artifically large and low
prices prevailed accordingly. The coal
produced in 1910 sold for a much
higher price, and since April |. when
the strike was declared by the Uni-
ted Mine Workers of America, has
been largely produced by non union
labor.
In New Mexico the coal trade was
brisk throughout the year 1910, re-
sulting In an increased output or
about thirty per cent over the pre-
ceding year. The operators attriout-
ed three-fifths of the increase to the
closing down of the mines in other
states, and two-fIfths to the normal
growth and to the requirements due
to improved business conditions.
According to ]. o. Sheridan, Uni
ted States mine inspector for New
Mexico, there was constant demand
for New Mexico coal during the sum
mer months, which kept the mines
busily at work. and at only few of
the smaller mines was the production
equal to the demand. Mr.. Sheridan
attributes the increased demand for
the coal of New Mexico partly to the
strike in the coal mines OF the middle
states and the northern districts Of
Colorado. and states also that the
growth OF population and settlement
of new lands IN New Mexico. Arizona
which Is certain to be permanent and
which will continue to increase. Both
the bituminous and sub bituminous
Goals of New Mexico are rapidly grow
ing In favor for domestic purposes,
the former being shipped from the
Ration fields to markets In Kansas,
Oklahoma and even farther east, and
the sub bituminous coal of the Gal
lup district supplying the markets of
the southwest and the Pacific coast.
The domestic demand for New Mexf-
co coal In 1910 was so great that the
operators were unable to fill orders
promptly The domestic trade re-
quires lump coal, and an operator
must have corresponding demand
for the smaller sizes for steam or
manufacturing purposes to be able
to fill the domestic orders. He can
not afford to waste the smaller coal.
The lack of demand for steaming coal
probably restricted the production
about five per cent. Mr.. Sheridan Is
of the opinion that the production In
1910 would have been considerably
larger IL the operators had been able
to obtain all the labor and railroad
cars they desired.
One of the benefits accruing to the
coal mining industry of New Mexico
In 1910 was the reduction in the
freight rates on foreign Goals by the
Mexican railroads. When the Mexl-
can government took over the control
Of the railroads of that country 1t In
creased the freight rates on foreign
Goals in the hope of encouraging the
development of the Mexican mines.
AS the railroads had considerable coal
on hand they were unable to furnish
a sufficien. supply OF fuel during 1909
but with the depletion of the reserves
1T was found that the Mexican mines
could not supply the demands of the
railroads and the other industries. In
order to meet this deficiency with New
Mexican coal, the Mexican govern
ment reduced the freight on coal TO
the old rate and II is not probable
that any further attempt will be made
to exclude foreign Goals from that
republic.
Mr.. sheridan gives the total pro-
duction of coal In New Mexico in 1910
at 3,Gs4.627 short tons, as compared
with 2, S0s,125 tons in 1909. He
also reports that there were fifteen
persons killed in the mines during the
year---nine by falls of rock, five by
falls of coal, and one by picking into
a missed shot Mr.. Sheridan calls at
tentlon TO the fact that all but one OF
these accidents were due to the negli-
gence of the miner In not properly
timbering his working place.
During 1910 great improvements
were made in the methods of operat-
| ing the mines Each OF the three
larger operating companies has en-
ployed mine inspectors whose duty II
is to look after the safety OF the men
employed. In addition to these mine
inspectors the fire bosses and shot
flrers must also report any unsafe
conditions in their respective districts,
and when an accident occurs where
by any person is injured in the mine.
the circumstances and conditions are
Immediately investigated TO discover
| II the workmen were allowed to go
into an unsafe working place and II
so. the fire boss or shot firer who me-
elected TO report such unsafe con-
lditlon Is held responsible. Right here