I04 Transactions of the Canadian Institute. [vol. ix 



which may be said to be for the comfort of the people and a commercial 

 demand which fluctuates with the activity of the nation or individual. 

 In looking at the diagram illustrating the amount of coal used by the 

 world since 1864, there is an increase in the total which can not be attri- 

 buted to the increase in population and it is apparent that the use of 

 coal in transportation and manufacturing is largely responsible. The 

 noteworthy increase to which our attention is at once called is that 

 given for the United States. 



The fact, that in point of population it was on even terms with Great 

 Britain probably before 1870, shows that its commercial activity was 

 much less. Its phenomenal growth in population argues for a lowering 

 rate, if any, in domestic use of coal so that its commercial activity shows 

 the most rapid strides and now probably gives a per capita production 

 equal to that of Great Britain. 

 100 200 300 400 Million tons 



V Canada 



■■ Belgium 



■■■ France 



■■■■ Austria Hungary 



■■^■■■■■■■BHHBB 



■iBBBHBHMIiBBBIi^^HBBHBiJ^HHHHI^HHBaBai United States 



Output of Coal for 1905 



The elements of the production for 1905 are shov/n plotted in the 

 second diagram to include that of Canada, which mines only about half 

 of the coal it consumes. To eliminate the question of relative popu- 

 lation a third diagram for the same countries is submitted showing the 

 per capita production for the same year. 



Per Capita. 



In this an indication is shown of the struggle for supremacy in com- 

 mercial activity between the United States and Great Britain. In 

 considering that of Canada let me add that our commercial demand in 

 excess of our mined coal owing to proximity of markets was made up 

 by the purchase of enough coal to bring us up to about even with Ger- 

 many and Belgium. Added to this our water power in course of devel- 

 opment will soon put us, since our naval demands are not of alarming 



