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34 THE COAL TRADE BULLETIN.
REPORT OF CHIEF MINE INSPECTOR
PAUL, OF WEST VIRGINIA FOR
THE LAST FISCAL YEAR.
The most important features of the last annual
report of Chief Mine Inspector James W. Paul of
West Virginia are covered in his letter to the governor,
which is of exceptional interest and is as
follows:
To THE GOVERNOR:
The number of mines in the state has grown to
629, each of which requires inspection. These 629
mines furnish the product which is handled by
330 commercial compenies. During the year there
has been an increase of 59 coal companies and 99
mines. Twenty-five of these were in one inspection
district.
For the past seven years the average annual increase
in the number of new mines has been nearly
63.
What the future will bring in additional mine
development is beyond the province of speculation,
but it is only fair to presume that future development
will be governed solely by the ability of the
markets to consume the product.
Large coal areas are being traversed by railroad
lines for the purpose of the development of coal
properties as yet untouched other than with the
prospector's pick. With the completion of these
new lines the number of mines will be increased
by many score, thus adding to the work of the
inspection department.
INSPECTORS.—Each of the district inspectors has
an average of 126 mines in his district and during
the year they made an aggregate of 1,466 visits to
the mines for the purpose of inspection, inquiring
into causes of fatal accidents and making other
observations that came within their lawful duties.
DAYS WORKED.—The mines were operated on an
average of 209 or 8 days more than during the previous
year.
The coke ovens were operated 222 days or 12
days less than during the previous year.
PRODUCTION AND VALUE.—The mines in the state
had a total production during the year of 26,984,-
715 tons of 2,240 lbs. representing a total value of
the xual as it came from the mines of $28,333',-
950.75. The coke manufactured was 2,276,451 tons
of 2,000 lbs. valued at $4,117.187.59 at the ovens.
The following tabulation represents the manner
in which this tonnage was disposed:
Used in operating the mines. . 327,422
Local trade and tenants 400,858
Used in the coke ovens 3,333,861
Shipped from the mines 22,922,574
A total of 26,984,715 of which
Were pick mined 18,667,023 and
Machine mined 8,317,692 tons.
This tonnage of coal originated in the geograph­
ical districts compared with the previous year as
follows:
1904. 1903. Change.
Potomac District.. 1,619,340 1,622,068 D. 2,728
Monongahela Dist.7,396,161 6,679,000 I. 717,161
Wheeling District. 553,984 503,925 I. 50,059
Kanawha-New
River District...9,293,771 6,540,325 1.2,753,446
Norfolk & Western
District 7,951,459 7,388,380 I. 563,079
Small mines in the
state 170,000 180,000 D. 10,000
Totals 26,984,715 22,913,698 1.4,071,017
As indicated in the above there was a net in­
crease over the previous year of 4,071,017 tons.
Each geographical district, except the Potomac,
gave an increase. The production of small mines
fell short 10,000 tons of being equal to the pre­
vious year. This is attributed to the decline in
prices, which made the operation of the small
mines less profitable than during the previous
year.
The gross total revenue obtained summarizes as
follows:
Total value of all coal produced $28,333,950.75
Less value of coal used for steam at
mines $ 343,793.10
Less value of coal used in
coke ovens 3,500,554.05 3,884,347.15
Total value of coal sold $24,489,603.60
Total value of coke produced 4,177,787.59
Total gross value of product
placed on the market $28,667,391.19
MACHINE MINED COAL.—The machine mined coal
constituted 30.82 per cent, of the total production
for the year and is represented by 8,317,692 gross
tons.
The mining machines have had a rapid growth
within the state.
There are in use at 248 mines 988 machines furnishing
employment to 8,395 persons within the
mines.
During the past eight years the machines in
use have each averaged a production of 40.4 tons
for each working day, or 9,051.5 tons per year.
For each inside employe incident to the mining
of machine coal there is produced per year 1,000.7
tons.
The following table will readily exhibit the
growth of this means of winning the coal: