Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, N.D.) 1909-1915, 1913-01-17
REPORT SHOWS NORTH. DAKOTA
CONTAINS MORE COAL THAN mE
ANY OTHER STATE
ERAISEsiN PRICE OF EAsTEN COAL
MAY BRING Development p
OF Ignite FIELDS

& z, Dur During the last month North Da-
kota Ignite coal has come into prom.
inence with the announcement that
the Great Northern line which is to
be constructed from New Rockford,
~. D., to Lewiston, Mont, is to be
electrified and that North Dakota lig-
mite is to be used. Close on this re-
port the organization of the Northern
Briquetting company. of Minot was
announced l-l our and the report of State
Engineer Atkinson just issued shows
that coal mining has increased IA per
cent IN the state, all of which indi-
Gates that Ignite coal is rapidly COM
ing into its own. essSs#
Government reports show that
North Dakota contains over five hun
dred billions of tons of coal, which by.
far exceeds that possessed by any
state in the union. But Ignite coal
has been knocked SO unmercifully by
the coal barons, the discriminating
railroads, and the public in general
that it has taken quarter of a CEN
tury or more for it to receive anything
like half recognition. But gradually
its excellent qualities have been prov
en-: by demonstration, until finally ten
million dollars are to be spent in the
eleetrifying railroad system depend
ent upon it for power. Several large
power plants in this state have been
operated with this coal as fuel, and at
last the fact has been impressed up
on one large institution that, while
it. is not a success under the boilers
of the locomotive, yet it is an excel
lent fuel for making steam Off a pow
er plant which will drive the great
trains by electricity. It is safe to say
that as soon as the Great Northern
people have demonstrated what can
be done. the Ignite fields of North Da-
kota will Immediately become inyalu-
able and will be developed at a won
derful rate. At Kenmare, Wilton, He
bron, Minot and other places in this
state, immense power and lighting
plants have been in operation for
years, and it has been demonstrated
that wherever Ignite abounds, unlim-
tied power can be created. This is
the one great resource of the western
part of the state, which is sure to
make it excel, in that it will induce
manufacturing, for wherever. cheap
fuel abounds, which means cheap
power, there capital is sure to be at
tracted. Power is the one ruling
agent Of the world, and as fuel is the
basis Of power, the locality which is
blessed with an abundance of cheap
coal holds prize which is the envy
of all others. 3.s s:s5
The rapid increase in the price Of
eastern coal and fueIoi1 has made it
necessary for western railroads to-
look Is a cheaper source. of power,
and now that the energy from Ignite:
can he pushed many miles along the
line from central stations, it begins
to look as if Ignite coal is soon to-
come to its own. Immense power sta
stions will be built at Intervals along
the new line. These will call for an
army of stokers, miners, electricians
and other employees, all Of which
will mean a. great deal toward the de-
velopnent Of one of the greatest re-
sources Of wealth which could pos
8sibIy bless a state.
This may have a tend deney to deyel-
sop another source off ndustFy which
lies tilized in this 50 late, and that
is the excellent manufac cturing clays
of lortth D ffiltler, be-
found in the United States and the
supply is inexha 8si
The possibility of develop ent in
the western portion OF N North Dakota
cannon be estimat AAt this date
they are nnap preeiated and the time
is soon comm when the panorama ofs
barren praiirries and hills ia western
sSorth Dakota VIII De ttransf med IN
to scenes equal TO hose of the manu-
Featuring centers Of the eastt
The best training inslres The best