The Twin Falls times. [volume] (Twin Falls, Idaho) 1905-1916, 1912-01-02
COAL PRODUCTION FOR 1911.
Figures for Central, Southwestern and
Rocky Mountain States.

GeOlOSlCdl survey, tne COal-mlnlnS re-
turns for 1911 indicate that the output
of the year was no more and possibly
less than that of 1910, in spite of the
fact that most Of the mines in the Mis-
sissippi valley and the southwestern
states were closed down for practically
six months during 1910
The general feeling throughout this
region in 1911 was that business was
exceptionally bad Some idea of the
conditions may be obtained from the
statement that Illinois alone is cap
able of producing, with her present
development and equipment, as much
coal as is now produced in the entire
interior region, including Illinois, In
diana, western Kentucky, Iowa, Kan
sas, Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma,
and Texas In other words, Illinois
without opening another mine, can
produce fully 100000,000 tons of coal.
The market for Illinois coal can not
absorb more than 50000,O00 tons, and
in 1910, the year of the strike, Illinois
alone produced 100000 tons. The
effect of these conditions is shown in
the lower prices in 1911 compared
with 1910. 1t is estimated that the
price of Illinois coal was cents ton
less in 1911 than in the previous year.
In Indiana the price was cents less,
and in the southwestern district it was
from 10 to II cents less. 1t is claim
ed that the cost of mining has been in
creased in all portions of the region.
Competition With Fuel Oil and Gas.
In the northern coal field of Michi-
gan conditions in 1911 were about the
same as in 1910, and the production
will not show much change when COM
pared with the output of the preced-
ing year.
In Iowa, in addition to the general
depression in the manufacturing in
duStrles, the dry weather during the
year occasioned the closing of many
tile-burning kilns, which reduced the
demand for coal from that source. The
railroad companies also reduced their
requirements. The car and labor sup
ply in Iowa as in other sections of the
region, was entirely adequate. In Kan
sas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma compe-
tition with fuel oil and with gas con-
tinues to be controlling factor, and
the competition of Goals from Colo
RADIO, Alabama, Kentucky, and Illinois
was stronger in 1911 than in 1910. The
markets for Arkansas and Oklahoma
coal have narrowed down to points so
close to the producing regions that
the freight rates from the mines in
other states make up for the cheaper
cost of mining in those states. An
ameliorating factor, SO far as Arkan-
sas is concerned, is that the Arkansas
smokeless coal is beginning to expand
it's market for domestic trade, and in
the northern markets the public is
gradually beginning to realize that the
southwestern states produce a high
carbon smokeless coal ranking (espec-
tally for domestic use) in grade and
quality with that produced in West
Virginia. Because of this expansion
in the trade for Arkansas smokeless
coal, the output Of the state increased
in 1911 about 10 per cent over 1910.
The operators in Arkansas and Okla
homa make vigorous complaint against
the high mining rates which they are
compelled to pay. 1t is claimed that
the high cost of mining has so re-
stricted the production that the work
ing time has been reduced to about so
per cent of the possible working days
during the year, and that the miners
are no better off, so far as annual
wages are concerned.
Not the least difficulty with which
the operators in Arkansas and Okla
homa have to contend is the persist
ency of the miners in shooting the
coal from the solid. This practice, it
is claimed has increased the proper
ton of low-grade slack coal from 20
per cent formerly large percentage)
to 40 per cent, which is now the min
mum. Shooting from solid not only
reduces the percentage of salable coal,
but by increasing the quantity of fine
coal and dust increases the liability TO
explosions.
Decreased Production in Rocky Noun
tain Region.
The production of coal in most of
the Rocky Mountain States decreased
in 1911 about 10 per cent compared
with 1910. The reduction was due
primarily, first, to an unusually mild
winter in 1901; second, drought in
the agricultural states west of the Mis-
sissippi river, which caused large re-
duction in the demand for domestic
purposes in South Dakota, Nebraska,
Kansas, Texas, and Colorado; third,
decreased consumption of coal in loco
motives on account of the reduced
traffic on practically all the western
railroads; and fourth, the resumption
OF coal-mlnlng Operations in the
Central and Southwestern States which
had been suspended during the strike
of 1910. This strike in the middle
west had created an abnormal demand
upon the coal mines Of the Rocky
Mountain states, particularly in Colo
RADIO and New Mexico. The car supply
was satisfactory throughout the year,
as was also the labor situation, except
in the district north of Denver. in
Boulder county, where a strike has
been in progress since April 1, 1910
The mines of this district are being
operated with nonunion labor.
Improved Mining Methods.
In striking contrast to the reprehen-
sible practice of shooting coal from
the solid, as exemplified particularly
in Arkansas and Oklahoma, are the i'm
provements in mining methods which
have been put into effect in some of