Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-07-25
IMPROVED ROADS
INCREASE ANNUAL
OUTPUT OF COAL
Survey shows WnEon Mines Csing
Trucks Arc Rcnching Dis
fnnt Markets.

Close relationship between condi-
tons OF noads and total tonnage OF
coal mined is seen in statistics COM
piled in recent survey.
These figures show that in Ohio.
for example. where large sums of
money have been expended in rccen;
years on road improvements. the an
Eual output of pit mines. most OF
which also are wagon mines, has
jumped from l+l.ii6 tons in 1911 to
2.73?.9oO tons in 1918.
Wagon mines. as the term implies,
are no; located on the railroads They
are found where the mining is easy:
that is, whore the vein OF coal is
only a few feet below the surface
of the ground or protruding from
the hillsidcs. If the roads are Door
transportation costs confine the ac-
tivitics of such mines 10 purely local
markets. many OF them in such case
operating only when teams of farm
ers roundabout would be idle on the
farms If not engaged in hauling coal
at low rates.
Given highways on which trucks
can operate economically between
mine and railroad. many wagon mines
are finding 1t possible to compete
in the general market with mines
located on railroads Today, because
OF better transportation facilities and
the increasing demand for coal some
are producing several hundred tons
of coal daily.
Trucks engaged In this hauling are
hcinS operated at a ton-mile cost OF
from eleven to lightweight cents.
depending upon character OF roads,
loading conditions. traffic congestion,
routing. proper maintenance of trucks
and selection of drivers. Where
costs are high. granted the roads
are improved and without steep
grades. improper management. re-
sulting in idle hours for trucks, ~
most often at fault.
The survey in which the figures
and facts that have been cited are
monte research division OF the Fire
stone ship by Truck Bureau, at Ak
ron. Ohio. which has branch bureaus
in the SiXty-four leading trucking
ccnters of the United States. 1t has
been published in a pamphlet, just
issued. entitled THE Motor Truck at
the Coal Mines"
The survey concludes as follows:
One of the principal factors, if
not the chief factor. which has de-
TERED coal operators from using
trucks thus far has been the condi-
ton of highways. Especially is this
true in such States as Illinois, Iowa
and Kansas, since the roads in these
States are the worst ut the very
time when the demand for coal is
greatest
Fortunately almost every coal
producing state has Il rather large
road building program under way
and in number of instances both
the State and the country have ap-
."rr!a;cd funds for CARRYING out
J. rr"vrl,nc
THE first and third largest coal
producing States in ,.he Union, Penn
sylvania and Illinois. have compre-
hensive road Improvement plans. In
the former State $4,000. 900 has been
appropriated. and in the latter SEQ,
100000. In addition. country units in
both States have made large sums
available. Actual construction was
started in both States last summer.
provide for considerable mileage
The road programs in these States
through the coal fields and will brint.
many undevelopcd and untouched coal
areas into profitable trucking dis
lance of household consumers. in
dus' rial plants and railroads
Next November Kansas, Missouri
and West Virginia viii submit to
the voters for approval bond issues
amounting, in each State. TO $50, 900. :
900. The chances Of approval in at
least two of these States are good.
In Missouri. during the pas. year,
about Sl2.000,o00 has been made
available through the counties, while
in West Virginia and Tennessee the
combined appropriation of the coun-
ties is sa.00o.000 and $1,000. 600 re-
spcctively.
In Iowa. Green and Polk Coun-
ties. both in coal producing areas,
have made 100000 and $4,000, 600.
respectively, available during the pas,
year.
.wners OF coal mines and coal
producing lands will do well to watch
closely road construction While
railroads may not be accessible i'm
mediatcly, tho use OF the motor truck
>i,l make the development and opcr-
mn ~ the mines on this land prof :
liable n many Instances"