Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-01-13
INCREASE COAL OUTPUT.

INCHEASG SOHI w tFO !.
The production and consumption OF
coal In the United States in 1916 cX.
ceeded all past records. The quantity
OF ubitminous coal mined last year is
estimated by c. Z. Lesher Of the Unit
cd States Geological Surrey, depart
ment of the interior, as slightly more
than 500, 100000 net tone, an increase
compared with 1915, of more than &C..
$4,000 tons, or 10 per cent, and
greater by $1,000, 900 tons than the
record of 1919 Data furnished by the
Anthracite Bureau of information indi-
cate that the production OF Pennsylya.
mia anthracite was SS,3l2, 900 ne, tons,
about 100000 tons less than in 1915.
Tie total output OF coal in the United
States Is thus estimated at 597, 003DaO
net tons, and the official figures when
compiled may show GgG,000,C00 tons,
compared with 70,0OO,001 tons in 1918.
This estimate, which is to be fol,
lowed shortly by more detailed state.
ment, shows that the increase was
general, only three states, Maryland,
Oklahoma. and Texas, having had
smaller production than in 1915. The
largest increase was in Ohio, whose
production In 1916, is estimated at 81.
O00,O91 tons, compared with 22,i95,0 O0
tons in 1915, gain Of IS per cent.
Colorado, New Mexico, Virginia ana
Washington show increases of more
than 20 per cent and Kentucky, Mon
tana, North Dakota, Tennessee, West
Virginia, and wyoming OF IA to IS per
cent In Pennsylvania the increase
was about 17,C9,,0o0 tons or II per
cent
The consumption of coal by the rail-
roads In 1919 Is estimated to have
been 17,50O,000 tons greater than in
1916, the use OF coal in the manufac-
ture of coke was greater by 2l,5oC.a00 /
tons, exports increased about 7,c00,0o9
net tons, the coal mines used 10000 .
tons more for steam and heat, and the .
increase in consumption, mainly by
the manufacturing industries was H.
G1G,e39.
The increased consumption Of bl.
luminous coal by tho railroads and in.
dustiial interests OF the country dur
ing the year, brought about condi
ton In which the demand for coal was
greater tLan the ability Of The rail
roads to deliver 1t, and in some local I
tiles greater than the ability of the
mines to produce it, because of scar
city OF labor There is no lack of coal
in the grounds, or Of mines from
which it can lie obtained. The soft /.
coal mines. however, are not equipped .
to store coal that has been mined, .
and the coal must be loaded into rail I
road cars as soon as it is dug-~in fact, 7
the miners as a general rule do not go .
into the mine unless the cars are on
hand to take the days output.
The greater part OF the hituminous
coal produced IN 1916 was sold On
contracts at prices (agreed upon dus.
ing the early part OF the year, that
represented Increases little # any
more than the increase in wages
granted tho miners. The high prices
ut which the small quantity Of coal not
contracted for was sold during the last
three months Of the year were the re-
suit Of excess of demand over supply.
The buyers bid the prblce up and as
happens In the marketing of any artl-
Gle or commodity under Ike cond
TONS there was doubtless some specu.
latiye holding and trading that tended
TO raise prices. This factor and The
inclination of the middeman and re-
taller to exact profits are not be.
lieyed to have been any greater as re.
CARDS coal than ms regards other NO
cessitles whose prices have risen durs
Ing tho last few months.