The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1913-02-15
1
Tons I1'F GlAII
TO Be M.INEQ

pEMANlsFOh GA94 NOtAS@EhISE
OF THAT PRODUCT CERTAIN TO
be iNcREAsEb Is TO IS CENTS
ATOM.
PITTSBURGH, Feb. 14.-Betwecn
IL, 100000 and ll,oOo,00o tons Of gas
coal that must come from the Yough.
iogheny gas coal district OF Pittsburgh
will be demanded by gas companies OF
larger slke throughout the country this
year over and above what has been the
normal requirements for some years
past. This announcement, coming
from high sources yesterday caused no
little Interest among coal men, par
tIcularIy those operating in what Is
known as the Pittsburgh gas coal
fields.
The cause for the unusual jump in
the demands for gas coal is attribut.
cd entirely TO the rapid advance IN
the price OF crude oil during the past
few months until its price is prac-
tically prohibited for use in the man
uracture of Illuminating gas; as re-
suit gas makers are driven back TO
the original raw product OF gas coal,
in order to maintain reasonable
productive cost for their product.
The figures gathered on the increas.
ed tonnage, 1t is said, represent only
the leading Illuminating gas compa-
MES Of the region supplied from
Pittsburgh coal mines. There are
hundreds of smaller gas companies
not included in the total estimates,
which will unquestionably swell this
added tonnage by 100000 or S,OO0,-
900 tons for the year.
The rapidly increasing demand for
gasoline throughout the country and
the diminishing supply of crude oil
suitable for the manufacture Of gas
is forcing oil refineries to withdraw
their lower grades from the market
In order TO take care Of the gasoline
demand. There is no indication Of a
curtailment or falling off in the de.
mand for highly refined products Of
crude oil, and as long as this fact
continues less oil can be counted upon
for gas manufacture. An increase In
the demand for gas coal, arising
within the last 30 days TO the enor.
nous extent outlined. would, in any
other line OF industry, create fur
ore, but in the coal regions It is
accepted without much comment, en-
cept that plans are under way to
meet the increased tonnage that must
be produced. This fact has been one
o. the potent Influences causing the
higher average price for coal.
In New York financial circles as
well as In Pittsburgh. it has been re-
garded as certain that the price OF
Pittsburgh coal is to advance from
Is to 25 cents a ton permanently, and
figuring this increased price on the
basis of Pittsburghs production Of
coal It is estimated that between $10,-
900, 900 and $12,OO0,O0O will be added
tc the gross earnings Of the coal COM
nanics of this region each year on the
present tonnage output. so that coal
companies in Pittsburgh are looking
with unusual earnestness to the ap.
preaching spring season, when con-
tracts for gas coal and steam coal viii
be placed.
Many new mines arc expected 10 be
opened in the gas coal regions In or
der to tap lands that have been held
in reserve until the old workings have
been worked.
This new development, while along
well established railroad lines will
require extensive track laying to the
new mining towns and ttpples, and
between 80 and 40 miles Of new track
have been already planned by the
Pennsylvania and P. & l.: Z. railroads
to these new developments. This does
not include the extensive develop
ment of the Montour railroad for the
Pittsburgh Coal Company's improve
ment. On conservative basis 1t Is
asserted that between $7,O00,O0O and
$S,0OOOO0 will be expended for rail-
road improvements 10 take care OF
this increase in coal production that
must como this year.