THE ENERGY RESOURCES OF THE UNITED 

 STATES: A FIELD FOR RECONSTRUCTION.' 



By Chester G. Gilbert and Joseph E. Pogub, 

 Of the Division of Mineral Technology, United States National Museum. 



GENERAL INTRODUCTION. 



Because it seems inevitable that sooner or later the energy re- 

 sources of the United States must be employed more systematically 

 and effectively than they have been in the past, this study has been 

 made with a view toward setting forth a working plan for bettering 

 the situation. This is done in the belief that the sustained conduct 

 of the war and the future welfare of the country both demand con- 

 sideration and action in respect to this matter. While it is commonly 

 known that our present utilization of fuel is wasteful, it is not gen- 

 erally appreciated how very serious and extensive this default has 

 become, how many lines of progress the current practice in this 

 field is blocking, and how distinctly and heavily the whole matter 

 is contributing to the cost of living. While the color of sensational- 

 ism is to be deprecated, the assertion can not be avoided that this 

 country has within its reach the means for efiPecting a saving in the 

 matter of its energy supply of well over a billion dollars a year. 

 This paper points out those means. In this one direction alone lies 

 a gain sufficient to recoup much of the expense of the Great War. 



Whatever the merits or demerits of the case may be, it is evident 

 that this country is dependent upon an intricate interweaving of 

 activities whereby each person is enabled to gain a livelihood by 

 doing one thing instead of performing the whole range of activities 

 dictated by his needs. Indeed, there is now no choice in the matter; 

 the rapid growth of the machine technology has so increased the 

 requirements of man and encouraged him in centralized living that 

 the individual is no longer capable of filling his own wants. Instead, 

 he must rely upon the modern industrial system, which is energized 



> This paper includes much of the material presented in Parts 4, 5, and 6 of Bulletin 102 of the United 

 States National Museum under the titles, Coal: The resoin-ce and its full utilization; Power: Its signifi- 

 cance and needs; and Petroleum: A resource interpretation. 



1 



