The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-01-08
6OO,0OO,OOO
TONS Of COAL.
MINED IN 1916
Over Half Billion Tons Was
of the Anthracite
Grade.

WASHINGTON, Jan. S. - The pro-
duction and consumption of coal In
the United States in 1916 exceeded all
past records. The quantity OF btu
minous coal mined last year is estimat-
ed by c. T. Lcsher, of the United States
Geological Survey, Department of the
Interior as slightly more than 509, 000,.
900 net tons, an increase, compared
with 1915, OF more than 66,500,O00 tons,
or 10 per cent, and greater by 81.
100000 tons than the record of 1913.
Data furnished by the Anthracite Blu.
reau Of Information indicate that the
production OF Pennsylvania anthracite
was SS,312,000 net tons, about 6O0,vvO
tons less than in 1915. The total out.
put of coal in the United States is thus
estimated at 597,50O,OD net tons, and
the official figures when compiled may
show 60000O,000 tons, compared with
570,000,000 tons in 1913.
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 a
smaller production than in 1915. The
largest increase was in Ohio, whose
production in 1916 is estimated at 81,
100000 tons, compared with 22,435, OOO
tons in 1915, gain OF 60 per cent. Col
orado, New Mexico, Virginia, and
Washington show increases of moro
than 20 per cent, and Kentucky, Mon,
tana. North Dakota, Tennessee, West
Virginia and Wyoming of II to IS per
cent. In Pennsylvania the increase
was about 100000 tons, or II per
cent.
The consumption of coal by the rail
roads in 1916 is estimated to nave been
17,500,000 tons greater than in 1915
the use Of coal in the manufacture OF
coke was greater by 20,500,00O tons, ex
ports increased about 100000 net
tons, the coal mines used 50O,OOO tons
more for steam and heat, and the in
crease in consumption, mainly by the
manufacturing industries, was 21,00O.,
900 tons.
The increased consumption of btu
minous coal by the railroads and in,
dustrial interests OF the country dur.
ing the year brought about condition
in which the demand for coal was
greater than the ability of the rail.
roads to deliver 1t, and in some local.
ties greater than the ability of the
mines to produce it, because Of scar.
city of labor. There is no lack OF coal
in the ground, or OF mines from whicI
it can be obtained. The soft-coal mines
however, are not equipped to store coal
that has been mined, and the coal
must be loaded into railroad cars az
soon as it is dug-in fact, the miners
as a general rule do not go into mine
until the cars are on hand to take the
days output.
The greater part Of the bituminous
coal produced in 1916 was sold on con,
tracts at prices agreed upon during
the early part Of the year, that repre-.
scented increases little IL any more than
the increases in wages granted the
miners. The high prices at which the
small quantity of coal not contracted
for was sold during the last three
months of the year were the result Of
excess Of demand over supply. The
buyers bid the price up, and as hap
pens in the marketing OF any article
or commodity under like conditions
there was uvupaess some speculative
holding and trading that tended 70
raise prices. This factor and the in
clination of the middleman and retail
er to exact extra profits are not believ
ed to have been any greater as regards
coal than as regards other necessities
whose prices nave risen during Ile
last few monthA.