Albuquerque evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1911-1914, 1912-04-18
GOAL RESOURCES
OF NEW STATE
DESCRIBED
New Mexico Coal Mine In
spector Has Interesting
Article in April Number Of
"The Earth"

"C0al Resources OF New Mexico"
Is the title Of a most interesting and
complete presentation " the coal
production and possibilities OF the
new state written by Federal Coal
Mine Inspector 10 r.. sheridan Tor the
April number OF "The Earth" cory
Of which has just been received. Mr..
sheridan takes up the various coal
Fields OF tho state ono by one and
gives complete facts and figures about
each. The Aprtl number Of "The
Earth Is devoted chiefly to south
western Kansas. but there are other
Now Mexico articles. including one
entitled New Mexico, Playground OF
the West" contributed By the secre-
tary Of the New Mexico immigration
bureau.
MIR. shcridan's Article.
Inspector Shoridan's coal story is
az follows;
The coal areas Of New Mexico con-
tain resources upon which an empire
might be founded. The revenues.
which soon may be available from
tho same source. would furnish funds
sufficient 20 support and pcgpetuate
this empire, while the operation OF
the mines would give constant en-
pioyment and livelihood TO a popula-
tiDn OF millions.
Comparatively few realize the mag
ultude Of this vast resource OF the
New state. with markets IA the mid
die west. southwest and the Pacific
states, outside tho roach of general
competition from other coal mines,
the future success of the coal indus
try In New Mexico IL assured. The
only probable competitor would be
the Alaskan coal fields. Despite All
the noise made about the great guam
Titles Of valuable coal In Alaska. re-
cent and reliable Information II 20
tho effect that Alaska coal never can
compete successfully with New Mex
lee coal IN the markets Of tho Pa
cifie states. The reason is that the
Alaska product practically is an
crushed and comminutcd, rendering
IL unfit for domestic uses, and uh-
desirable for shipping 10 markets
which demand the better grades Of
fuel
Fully one-fourth Of tho total area
of New Mexico s. underlaid w'1h
workable beds Of coal and through
out the major part of this area there
are from two 90 nine coal seami
found. lying IN a position approach
Ing horizontal. These seams al in
teryals form leaves h. natures great
geological book OF records.
There are four ce.l fields In New
Mexico. the Gallup fold ranking frs
IA extent OF area and tonnage avail.
able; the Ration field second IN area
and tonnage; tho White Oaks fieis
third and the Carthage field fourth
There are besides several ISOLATED
patches OF coal which under preaon
conditions Of ample supply may b
considered negligible.
The Gallup Field.
What are known as tho Callul
coal fields include nearly the entir
northwest one-feurih OF the nes
state. oxtonding from a point fort
miles south of Gallup, thence through
oat San Juan and Rio Arrlba countle
nOrth TO the Colorado line. an averag
length OF ifO miles. ana an avcraH
Width or SO miles. or an area ~ a.,
200 square miles.
According 20 Marlus r. Campbell
Of the United states geological sur
vey, plate 4. Mineral Resources,
. published 1907. the quantity OF COS
, In this field in New Mexico. an
quoted in above publication az ga
san Juan region, is aIs.VO0.Vv
tons on thia considerable mos
than one-haf easily IN ayuilNblc, 30
ing exposed az intervals by foldin
D and erosion OF the strata. or
= faults. The remainder Hes % grca
D 81 depth, but readily viii be- nvailab
. when demand requires. which Win
9 centuries hence.
I. Isl the Immediate vicinity OF Gallu
!, whore tho coa has been operai,
i most oxsenslyely. nins vorfnp'e eP