The Alaska daily empire., 1922-01-05
Production and Costs

i Commission, the Eska coal mine pro duced about 1000 long tons. From June IS, 1917, to October 1. 1921. the ously with the exception of thr % months in 1920, when it was closed on account of strike. producing rom two to nearly six thousand short tons per month, with m aver lee of about 4,000 tons for each op2Y- ting month. The total production or this period amOalted to 187,3E ihort tons. The operating costs adr- ag this pa:iod have been fairly high, lue 10 a number of relaons. the most important Of which are:
 First-The wogl was entirely of ] pioneer character and much explor- l.o.y work WAS done which was .hargad directly to operation. Start ng with 10 reserve, the Commission las continued development in al ranca of it. needs until it now has bout 200,00j tons of coal practically ready to mine without further eX- Dl0ration.
 Second,-W ges nave been higher han al any point in the Unitel States fer the same typo of work, and in this connection the fact shouli be mentioned that none of the coal has been mined by contract as every effort has been made to keep the product as free from impurities as possible to facilitate the operation of steam construction equipment.
 Third During the war period, prac- ically all supplies were purchased at the peak of market prices.
 Actual Figures Given
 The following figures show the pro luction and financial statement Of he mining operation from June 18. t917. to October 1, 1921:
 Production (short toIs), 1S7,304.
 nvestmeat-O Original cost. $15,650; improvements and betterments, $21G,- s35.11; total, $23238j11.
 Revenues Coal, $1,161. .797S5; ren. als. $9,01S.G); total. $t,170,S1645.
 Expenses June IS, 1917, to October 1. Maintenance, $43,48411; op- eration, $955, ,5S1.56; total, $999, ,065.67.
 Earnings in excess of cost of oper otion and maintenance. $171,75o.7S.
 Net indebtedness of mine to Alas 'san Engineering Commission, $60, 63433.
 Cost per short ton ,of 2,dOO pounds, reluding all operatng<and mainten- ance accounts, but excluding invest ment. $533.
 Cost per short ton of 2,000 pounds, including all operating and maintea lnce accounts also investment $6.57.
 In closing, it is desirable to point out that the operation of the Eskl mine has saved the Alaskan Engn- l quarter dollars, as compared 10 the cost of similar quantities of coal i'm ported from the outside.
 Comparison Of Costs
 For further comparison, the follow ing table showing contracts awarded " the navy for deliveries between October 1, 1921, and March 31, 1922, is inserted.
 Point of delivery, submarine base, Connecticut; guaranteed heating value, 14344 B. T. U.; price delivered, S7.55 per ton
 Point of delivery, Naval Hospital, Chelsea. Mass; guaranteed heating value. 14.500 B. T. U.; price deliv- cred, $9.97 per ton.
 Point of delivery, Naval Ammuni- ton Depot, Iona Island, N Y; guar anteed heating value. 14,000 B. T. U.; price delivered SG46 per ton. l While these coals have a somewhat higher heating value than the Eska coal (analyses of the latter showing heat content of from 12,500 to l 12,30O B. T. U.). the Eska coal has served to furnish a suitable fuel for all departments of the Alaska Gov ernment Railroad. including the oper ation of locomotives, steam shovels rotary snow blows. as well as for power and pumping plants, and for domestic purposes.
 To Raise Quality
 In the near future a complete de scription will be given of the half million dollar coal cleaning paint. now under construction by the Al lskal Engineering Commission at Sutton (near the Eska mine.)
 It is believed that when the coal rom the Matanuska field is passed through the new cleaning plant. fol flowing the general practice in the Western Washington coal field. the quality of the fuel product avail able will meet the several require ments of the .Govefnment Railroad