The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1916-07-25
NOTABLE RECORD OF
WEST VIRGINIA AS
A COAL PRODUCER
OUTPUT IN THE STATE WAS THE
GREATEST ON RECORD
IN 1915.
Over IT Million Tons Produced at a
Value of Over S74,000.000-
8 Per Cent Increase.
(By John w. Fienner.)

| 10y JOINT V" FiclteI.J
WASHINGTON, D. C., July "a.
producer adds a notable chapter to
the history of the mining industry in
THAT state. According 10 {. E. Lesher,
OF the United States geological sur
vey, the output in West Virginia in
1915 was the greatest on record,
amounting TO T7.1S4.069 short tons,
or nearly 5 per cent, in quantity, and
il$3,l69,941, or more than i per cent,
in value, it being more than double
the production in 1904, twelve years
before.
The greatest increases in coal pro;
duction were in the New River and
| Pocahontas fields, embracing Fayette,
Mcdowell, Mercer and Raleigh coun-
ties. Logan county, in the southwest
ern part Of the state, and Tucker
county, in the northern part. also
recorded notable increases. The in.
crease was made in commercial coal
shipped TO market, as the quantity
made into coke within the state. that
used locally near the mines. and that
used by the MINIS for steam and neal
to tidewater for export. 10 the Great
Lakes for cargo, and 10 the middle
west for by-product coking, as well as
increase in sales for railroad and gen.
eraI commercial use, contributed 10
swell the total.
Mr.. Leshers Comment.
In commenting upon West Virginia.
record breaking year in the matter OF
coal production, Mr.. Lesher today
said
/ "The coal inductry of West Virginia
was in a depressed condition during
the early months of 1915. In fact, IT
/ b.. a nrn6nctlOn
the twelve months ended June ~,
1915, was the lowest recorded IN
similar period for many years I'M
provement began about May, when
production increased rapidly and con-
| tinued without setback until NoYem'
Der. In November and particularly IN
! December shortage of cars and 70
| less extent Of labor began TO De teit
: in parts of The state, curtaillng Pro,
duction somewhat at the END OF tne
wear The high rate Of production at
tanned during the last half of 1915
has been continued into 1916, and un
, less a setback is encountered a ne"
record will be established.
The shortage of labor is indicated
! nv the labor statistics, which show
that the number Of men employed IN
mining coal in West Virginia de,
creased from 1868 in 1914 10 15,SS2
in 1915. The increased OUTPUT "as
ATTAINED, however. by an increase IN
the number Of working days, the aver
age in 1911 having been 2O1 and that
! in 1915 having been EOS days, and by
an increased daily average OUTPUT per
employee-4.52 short tons in 1914 ana
4.S0 in 19la---which resulted IN an m
crease in the average annual proQuc
ton pcr man from 90S tons in 1914 10
l.017 tons in 1915.
The increased output in l9l? was
not obtained by the operators without
some sacrifice. for the average value
! at the mines per short ton decreased
nearly . per cent from 80 10 81 cents,
and the total value for the state IN;
creased by a. per cent as compared
viii an Increase In output OF rs per
| cent. Of the counties that recorded
INC in which there was increased
! average value per ton for the coal
! produced"