coal: the resource and its full utilization. 
19 
and technological sides of the problem of bettering the service 
obtained from coal. The steps taken by the United States are well 
known . 1 
In view of the advances in the utilization of low-grade coals 
abroad, we are led to inquire as to the potentialities of similar coals 
in the United States, which have heretofore not been called into 
action because of the prevalence of more desirable grades. Low- 
rank coals are very abundant in this country as shown by the United 
States Geological Survey, whose results may be summarized and 
expressed in round numbers on a per capita basis, as follows: 
Coal reserves of the United States calculated to a per capita basis . 1 
Now 
under- 
ground. 
Mined 
to date. 
Anthracite 
Tons. 
190 
Tons. 
28 
Bituminous coal 
15.000 
20.000 
92 
Lignitic coals 2 
( 8 ) 
1 The calculations are made by the writers from data presented by Marius R. Campbell, The Coal Fields 
of the United States: General Introduction, Prof. Paper 100-A, U. S. Geological Survey, 1917. The 
figures are given in round numbers based on a population of 100,000,000. 
2 Includes subbituminous coal, which is between lignite and bituminous coal in quality. 
* Practically untouched. 
The deficiency of anthracite and the magnitude of lignitic coals 
are at once apparent. It has already been shown how the undue 
dependency on the small and waning anthracite reserve may be 
relieved by a suitable by-product utilization of bituminous coal. 
The further application of the same principle would likewise lend 
significance to our lignitic coals, tending to raise their value from 
little or nothing to a point justifying their adoption in the place of 
higher-rank coals in those regions, at least, in which lignites alone 
occur . 2 And in this connection, it should be noted that lignitic 
coals occur chiefly in the Dakotas, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, 
Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Louisiana, in sections largely free 
from other coal resources. 
Considerable experimental work in this country has already been 
directed toward making lignites effective sources of heat and power. 
Because of their high moisture content and tendency to “slack/* 
1 The Federal Trade Commission under date of June 19, 1917, recommended to the United States Senate: 
“ First. That the production and distribution of coal and coke be conducted through a pool in the hands 
of a Government agency; that the producers of various grades of fuel be paid their full cost of production 
plus a uniform profit per ton (with due allowance for quality of product and efficiency of service). 
“ Second . That the transportation agencies of the United States, both rail and water, be similarly pooled 
and operated on Government account, under the direction of the President, and that all such means of 
transportation be operated as a unit, the owning corporations being paid a just and fair compensation 
which would cover normal net profit, upkeep, and betterments.” (S. Doc. No. 50, 65th Cong., 1st sess., 
Washington, 1917, pp. 20-21.) 
2 The subbituminous coals are now used to some extent, but inadequately. 
