COKE PRODUCTION FOR 1888.

As the following statistics of coke production differ somewhat from those appearing elsewhere, an explanation is in order. In previous years considerable differences appeared in the statistics published in reports and newspapers; the Bureau, therefore, determined to get them for 1888 independently of other collectors. An inquiry was made of each producer, and whenever a discrepancy appeared between his return and that made to the mine inspector, of his district, or to another person who was conducting an independent inquiry, the producer was asked for an explanation, and this work of clearing up the discrepancies was continued until all of them disappeared. The explanation covering the larger number of them is, the earlier figures were estimates of production, and which could not be otherwise at the time the information was furnished. The delay in publishing the returns by the Bureau has enabled the producer to subst:tute exact figures for estimates.