The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1917-08-29
MOBILIZATION Of Ignite INDUSTRY
Of NORTH DAKOTA MAY Be NECESSARY

-. VI UUl|Uu UnNUIt
President Pennington, who foresee'
and realizes the various problem.
that must be contended with by thu
transportation companies of the north
west during the coming winter, di
reefs me to call the attention Of the
people of North Dakota, and especial
ly those living in 500 Line territory
to the question of fuel, with special
reference to the native coal Of the
state. In a rigorous climate such as
ours, one of the greatest economic
questions is always that of fuel. Plcn
tifulness and accessibility Of coal in
an agricultural state is great asset
You have observed the drastic but
apparently necessary steps taken by
the government during the past weeks
regarding the handling, transporta
ton, price and general control of; both
bituminous and anthracite coal. When
you realiz > that up, to this time
(aoout September 1st) for the year
1917, lesssthansG5 percent of the usual
coal supply delivered at lake head
points for distribution over the north
west, has BEEN delivered this year,
you will conclude that the sensible
activity Of the Civic organizations Of
the Twin Cities and Minnesota gen.
orally in inducing the government to
act in the coal. situation, was the
thing to do. A fuel famine In the
midst of northw est winter with the
railroads tied; up and crippled, may be,
is not a pleasant thing to contem'
plate even in the month Of August.
Undoubtedly the situation generally
will improve somewhat from now on,
but we can hardly expect the normal
and usual supply OF coal at the head
of the lakes, or in the hands of deal.
ers and consumers where navigation
closes in about 80 days hence. Close
observers are convinced that in spite
Of the best efforts on the part Of the
government, a shortage in the fuel
supply of the northwest is bound to
result.
For reasons which | will not enter
into at this time, the railroads dur
ing the past few years have been Of
fectually estopped from furnishing the
improvements and equipment nccos-
sary to the end that the railroads
may be enabled to keep in step with
other industries and the progress and
expansion of the country generally.
The history of last winter demonstrate
ed the ina 1ility Of the railroads to
| rIe n, thor
during the days of stress and conges-
ton: mention those things to call
attention to the possible inability Of
the railroads traversing North Dakota
to furnish an adequate supply of east
ern coal on short notice.
North Dakota has according to gov
eminent biologists, more tons OF coal
underlying its surface than any other
state. And, while this fuel Is known
as Ignite, II lis, nevertheless, among
the best qualities of its kind, and a
knowledge III It's use always makes
friends for SThe writer predicts
that the time IS not long distant when
the coal 4ndustry%of North Dakota will
have advanced several hundred per
cent from It's present status. Lack OF
capital, slipshod methods and ineffi-
cheney generally, regarding the min
ing of coal in North Dakota. up to
this time, has retarded the progress
of that industry. Ofcourse, ther.
have been many mines in the state
like those at Wilton that have been
handled in business-like manner,
and when so handled. l believe they
have been successful from financial
standpoint. .
l asked Professor Eabcock. dean of
the college of mining engineering Ut
the state university. and reCOznized
! by the government as the greatest au-
thority on Ignite coal and its proper
utilization, to write something regard
ing this article of fuel, and its hand
ling. quote below for the informa'
ton of the public generally. some OK
cerpts from Dean Ba5cocks letter..
"North Dakota has good reasons to
be proud of the position which she
occupies in the agricultural and stock
raising industries Indeed, the great
prominence and wonderful develop
ment enjoyed by this state in these
industries have caused most people to
overlook the possibilities which exist
in the development of other natural
resources and industries.
"While North Dakota may never
appear as metal producing or a
great mining state. yet it certainly
possesses some mineral resources, es-
pecially its great coal and clay de-
posts, which are sure to become more
extensively used and to prove OF
great economic value. .-.----.-.
| The. discovery. Investigation and
propersmeth for development and
utilization of these resources require
J time tGySaoes hard work and tech,