Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1882-01-05
THE FUEL QUESTION.


The fuel question is very important enc
in Sacramento. The cheapest fuel-suficient
for the results demanded Of fuels that all
seek for. Recently new element has en-
tered into the consideration Of the fuel ques-
ton. It came with the introduction in this
market OF California coal, a few months
ago. known as Clipper coal. This coal has
now been under test some three months in
various parts of the city, and under variety
of conditions, and SO general is comment on
the matter that present statement OF facts
is timely. Wood taverage) cut for domestic
uses rates here from Sc 80 in summer to So
and SO in winter, and in four foot lengths
from Sc % to $40 per cord. Most of the
coal used in the city, prior to the introduce
ton of the Clipper brand, was higher priced
than wood, and its consumption a matter of
much greater cost. The introducers Of
the "Clipper," however in presenting it,
based their chief claim for it upon its
economy in price, as compared to wood. It
is placed upon the market to retail at s.,
delivered, and in large lots at a considerably
lower rate. Experiments have shown that
ton of this coal at So goes as far as a cord of
wood at 49, and even further, but the agents
of the coal have been content to make only
an even claim. 1t is used at the Interna.
tional Hotel in ranges, stoves and CRATES, and
the saving there is estimated at about 338A
per cent, as against the best wood. At the
Touring mills of G. McCreary & Co. many
carloads of it have been consumed, and it is
found to give as good results as wood, and at
less COST 1t has had working test at the
City Water Works it has been successfully
used ia the furnaces of churches; the 1ele-
graph planing-m mills used it under its boilers,
and a second order for it is the result. At
the Phoenix Touring mills it is in satisfactory
use Locsl coal-dealers report it as being
used now in many homes. both for the
kitchen and the CRATE, and that the demand
increases. A few find fault with it, but the
complaint is no more general than prevails at
times against other Goals, for what pleases
the many is not always satisfactory to all.
Inquiry into the matter and examination
of the coal on delivery, and in furnace, CRATE
and range and Of the results of its combus.
ton, develops these facts. 1t is Ignite coal.
For domestic purposes 1t burns to an ash, and
it does not coke. and it kindles very easily.
Under boilers where there is a powerful draft
it forms cliDker, but it is clay clinker and
not Objectionable. It is clean coal, and has
the minimum of dust. It's use, as against
wood, shows it TO result in a saving of from
SO to 10 per cent. 1t has had severe and
extended test in the boilerroom of the Rec
ORD UNION Office, and the result is about 40
per cent of gain over wood. 1t burns with
bright blaze, as blocks of wood might do, for
unlike most other Goals it does not make
bed of glowing Goals; while on the other
hand it may be burned in any CRATE as wood
may be, for the heat is not concentrated upon
the crate or furnace plates to their destruc-
ton. Ton for ton it is not the equal of i'm
ported coal, but dollar for dollar it is about
40 rer cent cheaner while it is as easily
handled and produces all the results desired
in domestic uses, and such places as those be.
fore indicated. It would therefore appear
that " Clipper coal is the long desired ecc-
nomic fuel, and that it will come into very
general use,