1918, US Zone System for Distribution of Bituminous Coal, LEATHER PRIVATE MAPS

Description: "The United States Fuel Administration, in cooperation with the Director General of Railroads, announces a zone system to govern the distribution of bituminous coal during the coal year beginning April 1, 1918". This begins the United States Fuel Administration Publication No. 21, dated 22 March, 1918, published by the Washington Government Printing Offices. As shown in a listing photo, this publication is pasted into this PRIVATELY PRODUCED 3/4 LEATHER BOUND book that is part of the "Library of Arthur W. Thompson, C.E." (C.E. presumably Civil Engineer) as noted on the title page. This nicely leather bound report appears to be a precursor to this formal government report, and, as far as I know, was never itself published in any format. It provides this statement as to the goal of the zone system: "The object of the zone system is to move coal from mines relatively near, and prevent abnormal and wasteful transportation movements, thus to insure more equal distribution of cars to the mines, and provide more steady employment of mine labor." The Baltimore and Ohio, B&O Railroad, was instrumental in the planning and implementation of this zone system. It contains pasted/glued-on maps formally produced by the U.S. Fuel Administration and the Railroad Administration. They are all dated April 1, 1918 and they show the "zones" which are areas encompasses full states and portions of states. The zones are outlined in heavy black line and the zone itself is colored yellow, with also a light green area seen in one of the maps. Some have dark black markings that could be specific areas of coal mining. The maps are mundane, but they were formally produced for this effort with nice printed lettering. They are glued to the pages which have the texture of thick tracing paper. All pages of the book are single-sided. Behind the title page is the Table of Contents. This TOC lists a 'Map showing zonal distribution of coal in the United States" on page 5. This is the only map identified in the TOC that is not in this book. The TOC then identifies 13 sections describes Zones "A" through "P", all with their own maps, which are present. Then comes the pasted-in formally produced Government booklet, then ending with further data on bituminous coal production and distribution nationally. The second (and last) page of the TOC has on the bottom, "Office of Assistant to Vice President, Baltimore, MD., April 25th, 1918." This could help explain the identity to Arthur W. Thompson identified as the owner of this book on the title page. Here is a portion of a brief bio found online for an Arthur Webster Thompson: "Born in Erie, Pa.; graduated in 1897 from Allegheny College with the degree of Civil Engineer; was rodman on location work for the Pittsburgh, Buffalo and Lake Erie Railroad; was appointed Assistant Division Engineer of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad at Pittsburgh in 1900 and gradually rose until in July, 1916, he became Vice-President of this railroad in charge of Traffic and Commercial Development..." Finally, it is noted that there is a library embossed stamp on the title page and few other places, "Library of Richard J. O'Connor". BB1

Price: 40 USD

Location: Burtonsville, Maryland

End Time: 2024-08-21T01:15:38.000Z

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