Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-07-30
ILLINOIS Gets
BIC COAL YIELD
Over 81 Million Tons Were
Mined in This State
in 1913.

The coal mined in Illinois in 1913
amounted to 61,61S,744 short tons, val
ued at $40, sos, according to figures
compiled by Z. w. Parker, of the
United States geological survey. in CO.
operation with the Illinois state geo
logical survey.
The coal-mining industry OF the
state in 1913 presented some interest
ing and contradictory features. IN
the first place, the diminished supply
of natural gas in Kansas caused an in
creased demand for Illinois coal in the
territory which is naturally tributary
to the Illinois coal fields but which for
a few years had been supplied by gas,
and during the last three months of
the year the strike in the coal fields of
Colorado caused a movement of Illi-
nois coal to more western markets in
order to supply the deficiency created
by the strike. On the other hand, ex-
ceptionally mild weather in the early
winter had a depressing influence on
the domestic trade and the water
power developed by the Keokuk dam
seriously affected the demand for and
prices of steam coal within a radius
of $50 miles from the power plant. It
is estimated that the power furnished
by the dam displaces about 5000 tons
of coal day. The resultant effect of
all these influences was an increase in
the quantity of coal produced from So
SS5,22 short tons in 1912 to 81 ,61S,744
tons in 1913. gain of 1,733,51S tons,
whereas the value showed an increase
of only S19,267, the average value per
ton declinging from SLIT in 1912 to
S1.14 in 1913. Labor condition were
more satisfactory in 1913 than in 1912,
but that there was much to be desired
in that respect is shown by the fact
that II, S61 men were on strike during
the year and that the average time lost
by the men on strike was 55 days.
Transportation facilities were gener-
ally adequate. AS in other states in
the middle west, floods in March and
April interrupted coal-mining opera
tons in many parts of Illinois, and the
drought which began in June and
lasted into October Increased mining
expenses somewhat, as it necessitated
hauling water for the power plants in
order to keep the mines in operation.
There are more coal-producing coun-
ties in Illinois than in any other state
in the union. half Of the 102 counties
In the state being or having been pro-
ducers.
Until 1909 Illinois ranked second in
importance among the coaLproducing
states. but in that year she dropped
behind West Virginia and will proba-
bly, remain the third state in coal-pro-
ducing importance. In 1913 West Vir-
ginia's output exceeded that of Illinois
~
The increased efficiency of the labor
employed in the coal mines of Illinois
manifested in 1912 continued in 1913
and was due chiefly TO the larger
quantity obtained through the use of
mining machines. In 1913 the aver
age production per miner was US tons,
against 767 tons in 1912 and 7O1 tons
in 1911. The quantity of coal mined
by machines increased from POSTS. O49
tons. or 449 per cent of the total in
! 1912. to 32.630.555 tons. or 50 per cent.
in 1913. II is gratifying TO note a cor
responding decrease in the quantity of
coal shot of the solid. In 1912 the
quantity OF coal mined by powder was
24,136.9i0 tons. or 40 per cent of the
total, and in 1913 II was 2O.469.I39
tons. or 80 per cent OF the total. The
prevalence OF solid shooting in the
coal mines adds materially 10 the haz-
ardous character OF the miners occu-
patton and seriously impairs the quail
ity OF the product. The trade upon
which the mines OF Illinois depends
demands principally screened coal,
with little sale for the slack or screen
ings except at greatly reduced prices.
Shooting or the solid adds largely to
the percentage OF the slack coal and
increases the friability Of the product.