Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-05-22
THE FUEL SITUATION

THE FUEL SITUATION
A sufficient and continuous supply of fuel is one OF
the most important things to the people of North Dakota
in some respects the most important Of all. In case OF
necessity we may exist for {. day, or for several days
without food. but no family can go for a single day with.
out fuel in the winter time without serious discomfort
and. in the coolest weather, without positive danger to
life.
Most of the western part Of the state is within easy
distance of the great Ignite deposits, in which a few
large mines and many small ones have been in more OF
less regular operation for years. The eastern half OF
the state has, for various reasons. been dependent chief
~ on the coal shipped in from the east, either by lake
to the docks at Duluth or entirely by rail from 1llinoi.
and adjacent territory.
This year, because Of demand elsewhere, and be-
cause of conditions Of transportation. orders have been
issued prohibiting the shipment OF rail coal from I'LL.
nois and adjacent producing districts north of a line
which crosses southern Minnesota. Heretofore we have
used a considerable quantity Of Illinois coal. Thi.
year we can get none. Consequently. for every ton OF
Illinois coal which We have used in the past we shall need
an equal number Of heat units in the form Of some other
fuel. The other fuels which are available are anthracite.
certain soft Goals from the east, and the Ignite from our
western counties.
Last year, according to the data available at this
time, there was mined in North Dakota something like
500, 900 tons of Ignite. practically all of which was con.
sumed in the state. This is roughly from is to 20 pc,
cent of the total fuel consumption Of the state, not in
tony but in units Of equal heating value. Our needs will
be as great this year, and our supply has been material.
ly diminished by the cutting of of the Illinois coal. We
must, therefore, burn more Of ignite, or more Of eastern
coal. or more of both.
What is the situation with reference to Ignite
Biologists tell us that there is in North Dakota some
seven billion tons Of Ignite, and we have no reason to
question the accuracy Of the estimate. That is a vast
quantity of coal, and there can be no question that this
fuel will in time play an important part in the indus
trial life of the state and of the entire northwest. That
is a very satisfying fact to contemplate. But for the
purpose of keeping the people of the state warm mex,
winter, which is the problem Immediately before us, ali
but an infinitessimal fraction Of that coal might as vel
be at the south pole, where. as a matter Of fact, there
are reported to be quite rich coal deposits. .
: The question that is Of interest to our people Jus,
now is not how much Ignite there is underground in the
state, but how much can be mined. and loaded on cars
and hauled to the hundreds Of stations, and distributed
to consumers, large and small. and burned effectively
in the appliances which are on hand for that purpose
1t is a question of days work, and rail miles, and To-
connective power, and car supply, and local distribution
and handling at the steam plant, or furnace or stove
1t is a question of hard facts and exact figures, and no
of enthusiasm for the development Of a local industr,
which every sane resident Of the state wishes to see De
fSSAVPSu " II ulSAeeI pOSolDIe e8Iee nuSGaS Ill
a splendid thing. but you can't heat a house with 1t.
We are told that 800, 900 tons Of Ignite was minet
last year. It is assumed that this quantity can be In
creased this year. How much can 1t be increased? Els
Inmates vary from 20 to so per cent. Suppose that the
output can be doubled. That increase will no more thar
make up the deficiency caused by the cutting on Of tn.
Illinois supply. We will still need as great a quantity o.
eastern coal as We used last year.
This summary Of the situation is made on the basis
of information which Is more Or less vague. We neet
exact information. The state authorities have it, or car
obtain II. They should get 1t and give it to the public q
once. not In sthe form of guesses and generalities, bu
specifically and In detail They will be able to 90 to tn.
fuel ADMINISTRATION 4. warrington with a definite state
nnent Of tho quantity d eastern coal which We must hay.
this year in order to keep from freezing next winter.
The following are offered q practical suggestions
Let us have = carefully conspiled and contervativ.
estimate 81 tho quantity of assnits that can b mined
and dirtributeA this year having regard not alone t.
mine capacity, but to4rSli f~acitttes 5and the abiHty Yd
ind.yfduals Is buy and stors III advance.
IN syssy public 3i~nsttutton fl the state which hi.
= plart IL vhich usnits san - burned With reasonable
ssscsssl hs rsahirsd n iay III ~ years supply u iisnits
~ Sncys sIf.@St III esfsain5 anA1saaccss,s this entails additional
es.t. ~ assA sssd;s = IN ~ ne ta1es -a.cSAs.ry Il
&Avsy Ssa1ka1s slfgA,lgths mr. STAIN plants
wssfs ~ rS.saasiy s 80. III aannila+ ordsr,
], a. ~.
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