The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1928-06-25
.LIGNITE COAL
MINE BOUGHT
BY 0TTERTAIL
New Company Formed to
Double Output in Wash
burn Field
OPERATING HEADS STAY
Power Official Predicts State
Soon Will Be Producing
100000 Tons
OPERATING HEADS STAY

Wilton, N. d., June 25.-Forma-
tion Of new company, to be known
as the Washburn Ignite company,
which will own and operate the
Washburn Ignite mine at Wilton,
was announced here today.
The creation of the new company
followed a series of negotiations
carried on between Major Stanley
Washburn, president Of the Wash
burn Ignite Coal company, and
Vernon A. Wright, president, and
C. S. Kennedy, vice president and
general manager of the Ottertail
Power company. As a result, the
Ottertail Power company acquires a
controlling interest in the Wash
burn mine, the largest underground
Ignite mine in the world.
Mr.. Wright is president Of the
newly formed Washburn Ignite
company, and Major Washburn and
Mr.. Kennedy are vice presidents.
There will be no change in the per-
sonnel of the mine staff, it is an
nounced, John L. Enright continuing
as general manager.
"The consolidation Of our mine
interests and those of the power
company is a logical step in the re-
markable power and coal develop
ment under way in North Dakota"
Major Stanley Washburn declared in
a statement issued today at the
company's offices here. 1.-THE Otter
tail Power company was first to
recognize that power is cheaper with
Ignite than eastern coal and since
its large power plant was built at
Washburn, to help meet the de-
mands Of its rapidly increasing
system, our mine has been supply
ing a large part Of the company's
demand for high grade Ignite. This
reorganization guarantees coal sup
ply to the power company in unlim-
tied quantity and stabilizes the
output at the mine.
Diversifiration Project
"A development such as this re-
affirms faith in the future of North
Dakota. / have stated repeatedly
that the federal policy of diversi-
fication to North Dakota included
development Of our Ignite deposits
to furnish electric power as well as
diversification of our crops. This
development was expected in q gen.
Grafton but we find it crowded into
a few years by interests such as the
Ottertail Power company. ! expect
to see the annual output of the
Washburn mine soon to reach half a
million tons as compared to the
present output of something more
than 200, 900 TONS"
The Washburn mine was opened
in 1900 when the state produced less
than 100000 tons of Ignite coal
annually. It was started by the
late Senator w. D. Washburn of
Minneapolis, father Of Major STAN
ley Washburn. The late w. p.
Macomber was in charge from 1900
until his death in 1924 and since that
time John L. Enright has been gen.
eral manager. For years it has been
one of the points Of interest in
North Dakota. It is noted for it's
modern equipment, including some
Is miles of underground electric
railroad. Since the mine was opened
it has produced more than 1850, 900
tons Of Ignite.
Service Improvement
The Ottertail Power company
which has headquarters in Fergus
Falls, Mimi, furnishes electric cur
rent to 240 toYns and cities in
North Dakota, South Dakota and
Minnesota, including Wahpeton,
Jamestown, Devils Lake, Rugby,
Darlington, Oakes, Enderlin, Lisbon
and Bottineau.
"The Ottertail Power company
has purchased the controlling inter-
est in this mine so that it may be
in a better position to serve its Gus
Continued on Page Two)