The Washington herald., 1918-02-23
Holland Declares Scientists
Predict Deposits in Amer
lea VIII Be Exhausted.

production of anthracite coal has
been reached, and 1t Is doubtful II any
more deposits OF anthracite can be
found in this country. Therefore,
hereafter coal will be sufficiently ex-
tensive to make 1t necessary to ad-
wise the utmost conservation of II.
Mr.. Ludlow is convinced that not
again will the former prices for an
thracite coal prevail.
This statement supplements and
confirms statements which have been
made by men Of science who have for
some years been occupied in studying
the coal situation in the United
States They have agreed substan-
tally upon fixing fifty years hence as
the time when our anthracite deposits
of coal will have been exhausted, GER
tainly il the present rate of consump-
ton continued.
COnseEyation Of coal may hereafter
be secured in various ways. Already
men of science have strongly in
timated that II Is possible to save
many thousands of tons a year If coal
be converted at the mines into cleo
trio energy. James H Ashley, of
Toledo, has recently called attention
to the fact that nearly thirty years
ago William Stanley, a man of science
Of Pittsfield. Mass, discovered and
I developed n system of long distance
transmission of electric energy. His
patents were purchased by one of the
great electric companies of the Unit
ed States and were utilized in new
and what has already become remark
able constructive work. The plants Of
the NiaSsra company. of the Southern
Powder Company, the Pacific COM
panieS and others were rapidly con-
structed. The aggregate of electric
energy measured by horse power fol-
lowing this construction is 6,OO0.OOO.
and the electric energy is conveyed. in
some instances. for 80 miles with
negligible loss and with a cost Of less
than one-fourth OF steam produced
energy.
The Use of Water Power.
These results were secured chiefly
through the utilization of water
power. which is already conserving
a large amount of coal But if it is
practicable to convert coal at the
mines into electric energy which can
be transmitted with commercial sue
cess for nearly 40 miles, then there
should be in that way an OppOTtu-
nifty to prOlong this natural but ex-
haustIble resource in the United
States.
When there began some years ago
earnest agitation for the enlarged use
OF the water powers of the United
States for industrial and transporta-
tiOn purposes it was speedily dis
powered by those who agitated this
eDolicy that they were facing q power
ful and vet not readily recognized
-. i
as was believed. to men of capital
who own and operate coal mines.
for It was believed that these meIi
were fearful lest a nationwide adop-
tiOn of water power would greatly
decrease the market for coal
4 Change Has Come.
Now according to Mr.. Ludlow the
coal operators are strongly advO-
eating conservation of coal. especi-
ally anthracite. having become as
sured that the anthracite deposits
will become exhausted by the mid
die of the present century or a
little later. Therefore to aid con-
seTyation it is probable that the
opposition of the coal operators
will be lessened if in fact any real
opposition existed to the utilization
Of water power.
What or OIL.
No man OF science and none of
the great leaders in the oil indus
try is able to do more than guess
at the future of oil production not
only in the United States but in the
world. But there does seem to be
an impression that If production
and marketing in this country con-
tinUe at the present rate there may
be an even chance that this great
natural resources will have been ex-
nhausted, some of the experts say
%Eithin twenty years. Therefore as
is the case with anthracite coal, ii
is highly important to conserve our
oil resources.
Among the other evidences of his
mastery of the oil industry from
production through distribution to
marketing which Walter Clark
Teagle has revealed since he be-
came president of the Standard Oil
Company. of New Jersey. is a gem
sral statement of his view respect
Ing the outlook for the future of
the oil producing industry.
In conversation with him a few days
ago he said that no one could tell
what the future of the industry would
be. referring in these words to the fu-
ture within the next twenty years OF
he production Of oil. Mr.. Clark knew
hat some oil is deposited beneath the
Joil of Alaska, but he could not say
how much Of how little. He knew
hat prospectors have sunk with sue
less oil wells in the far Northwest,
out how long the wells will flow is
n he
California oil fields Mr.. Teagle says
AN be relied upon to furnish for years
/ an adequate supply of fuel oil. which
s about all the California oil Is good
for. The marvellous production in
oklahoma may or may not within the
--lext few years cease.
President Sinclair of the oil COM
Dany which bears his name, may or
nay not have taken a great risk in
building the pipe line recently COM
Dleted from his oil fields to Chicago,
Mexico will furnish and so will Cen
raj America much oil. but for how
ong a time no one can tell. There
oil in South America, especially
Bolivia, Mr.. Teagle said, but we do
iot as yet know very much about it.
che worlds consumption of oil and
he extraordinary increase in the
? ty-pfcducts are speedily to raise a,
fIsaiuu similar to the one which
~ low put before the mining
frgiLt rs when he said that the
frfes production of anthracite has
setn reached and that it is doubtful
Fhetler any more anthracite de-
,oi can be found in this country.
~ sr acre, one highly important
tpea atsn for those who have our fu-
- aHHn zfrial ua1fara 81