PAPERS OX CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS 345 



having geographical limitations. It is to be so consider- 

 ed in this discussion, and as a matter of fact the charac- 

 teristics as to high oxygen and non-coking character ac- 

 cording to present standards wonld cover also the depos- 

 its in Indiana, western Kentucky and the coals of all the 

 states west of the Mississippi from Iowa to Oklahoma. 



The importance of determining the really correct 

 status for these high oxygen coals is further emphasized 

 when we note the relative coal reserves of some of the 

 principal producing regions. Colorado would seem to 

 lead the list. But so much is inaccessible owing to the 

 great depth of the deposits below the surface, that for 

 purposes of this discussion, the Colorado reserves might 

 for the present at least be set aside or given a lower 

 place in the list. It would appear then that Illinois leads 

 even West Virginia and Pennsylvania in the matter of 

 potential quantity. The coal in this region is readily 

 accessible, is mined with comparative ease and is con- 

 tiguous to great industrial centers. Its relative value 

 as an asset to the resources of the state is a matter of 

 great importance. Similar statements would apply 

 equally to the adjoining states where the same coal 

 measures are met with. • 



So far as ordinary everyday purposes are concerned, 

 it can be sho^\Ti by reference to a chart on production 

 that aside from the -particular adaptation to coke mak- 

 ing, these coals are entirely on an equal plane with the 

 coals of either West Virginia or Pennsylvania. For ex- 

 ample — suppose we cut oif from Pennsylvaiiia the coal 

 output which is mined for the purpose of cokemaking 

 The remaining tonnage will very well represent the rela- 

 tive rank of the several states with respect to their coal 

 output for general industrial purposes. The annual out- 

 put of coal for coking purposes is in round numbers 

 about 65,000,000 tons. If we subtract that entire ton- 

 nage from the Pennsylvania yield of bituminous coal, 

 the remaining 100,000,000 tons or less just about equals 

 the annual Illinois output. 



So much for the lay of the land. Xow what is, coal 

 an^'Avav ? 



