Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-01-12
$40 MILLION TONS OF
COAL MINED IN 1914
IN UNITED STATES
Production Estimated by United
States Geological Survey-De-
crease of so Million Tons,
Principally from Bituminous
Mines.

Notwithstanding the slough of de-
spond through which the coal-mining
industry Of the United States was COM
PEELED to work its way during the last
nine months of 1914, a decidedly hope
full tone prevailed at the end of the
year, and the opinion generally ex-
pressed to Edward w Parker, statis-
tician of the United States Geological
Survey, was that the receeding tide
had reached its full ebb and optimism
was apparent regarding the coming
year. According to Mr.. Parker's esti-
mate. which is based upon numerous
estimates received from leading coal
mine operators and others familiar
with the industry, the total coal pro-
duction of the United States in 1914
was about 10,o9O 900 short tons, a de-
crease of about 60,000,O00 tons compared
with the hecCrG output Of 1913. Prac-
tically all of this decrease was in the
output Of the bituminous mines. The
production Of Pennsylvania anthra-
cite in 1914 was not materially differ
ent from that Of the proceeding year.
which was S1,71S, $50 long tons. In 1914,
however. about 1000 900 tons (princi-
plliN nut anu SLSdlIl SILtSl NtAt A4AtO
storage. SO that the quantity sent to
market was about 100000 tons less
than IN 1919.
The principal decreases in the pro-
-Guction of bituminous coal were in
the Coking districts. 1t is estimat ed
that in Pennsylvania alone the pro-
fyauction Of bituminous coal decreased
between 20,0o0,000 and 25,o00,0o0 tons
and that the larger part of this de-
crease was in Fayette and Westmore-
land counties. which constitute the
Connellsville and Lower Connellsville
coking districts. The weekly reports
of coke production published in the
Connellsville Courier indicate that the
output Of coke in the two Connellsville
districts was less than that OF 1913 by
about 100000 tons, or so per cent,
and as each ton Of coke represents
about one and one half tons Of coal, a
decrease Of nearly 100000 tons in
the coal output is indicated in these
districts alone. The proportionate de-
crease in the other coking districts
was even greater and was particul-
arly noticeable in Alabama. In West
Virginia coke making has become
yearly IF relatively less Importance,
and although coal production in some
q the older districts showed sub
stantlal losses. new mines have been
opened and these have in part made
IN the decrease in production in the
older districts. Moreover, West Nlr-
ciuia mines that ship to the Western
States have been called upon to make
up the shortage in those States caused
by the prolonged strike in the eastern
OlNo districts. and the section of West
Virginia thus affected showed an in
creased production over 1913.
Among the Eastern States Ohio
showed the largest proportion Of de-
crease for in addition TO the depressed
condition Of business the labor con-
troversies in the eastern part of the
State kept number Of mines idle for
practically the entire year. The out
put Of the State for 1914 is estimated
at barely six per cent Of the output
in 1913.
The production in the Mississippi
Valley States is estimated to have de-
creased about 10 per cent, and the es-
timated decrease in the Rocky Noun
tain States is between five and ten per
cent.
on the Pacific coast the constantly
extending use Of California petroleum
for fuel is the principal factor of in
tiuence in the coal industry, although
the depression in the lumber trade in
Washington had also a reflected ad-
verse influence on coal production,
which is estimated to have been about
% per cent less than in 1918.
The opinion is generally expressed
that the chief effect Of the war in
Europe upon the coal trade Of the
United States was to retard or prevent
the return to more normal conditions
which was about to be accomplished
when the war troke out. The first
three months of 1914 were Of unusual
activity. the high rate Of production Of
the proceeding year having been car
ried over into the first quarter of 1914
and the weather in january and Feb |
ruary having stimulated the demand to
some extent. Then came the slump in |
the iron trade. general depression in
business. shutdown of coke ovens, |
and a period of distress throughout
the coal-mining regions which hasrare- |
ly been exceeded. The demand. pro- |
duction, and prices were all at so low |
an ebb when the war broke out that |