Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-01
GOING BACK TO COAL.
Rich People Threaten to Use Anthra-
cite if Gas Goes Higher,
PUTTING STOVES IN THEIR HOUSES.
And the Poor Claim They Will Take Kindly
to BituminOus Again,
RATHER THAN PAY GAS COMPANY RATES

1t is just possible that considerable trade
in coal may be gotten up with the East in
case natural gas companies persist in putting
in meters and putting price up. 1t is said
the demand for bituminous coal is growing
in the East, and it is we'll known that East
ern people will want more coke as the years
60 by, and if we can trade bituminous coal
for anthracite, and mutually accommodate
each other. it may lead to good results.
Yesterday a man on Grant street re-
marked that the coal trade seemed to be
growing rapidly during the past week or
two, and said it must be accounted for by
the resistance to gas meters. Said Alder
man P. B. Reilly: ST don't think the trade
in bituminous coal has been greatly affected
as yet by the fight against the meters, but
just wait until the first of January, and
then if the results are not better than they
promise now, there will be rattling among
meters. like natural gas for everything
except broiling, and will be 10th to part
with it, but If it costs any more than it did
during the past quarter can get along
without it, and there are others who feel the
same way.
GAS NOT A NECESSITY.
SCI have made a calculation, and find that
gas, and with the same general results. 1t
isn't SO convenient, of course; and If the fire
in your range is allowed to go out on cold
morning the kindling may try your temper,
but if the base burner in the hall is kept
going through the night it isn't a very
serious matter to kindle fire in the kitchen,
especially if preparation be made the night
previous, and all prepared and nothing left
but striking match. Gas is a very clean
fuel, but, with the exception of the resultant
ash, anthracite is Just as clean"
Inquiry developed the fact that good
many people felt just as did Alderman
Reilly. Those who are able to afford the
purchase of anthracite coal burners will
have them, ard those who are too poor to
stand the expense will go back to bitumin-
GUS coal, and feel but little put out by the
change. Like the French boy who, by con-
junction of accidents, was knocked out of
an anticipated sumptuous dinner until the
makeup thereof was reduced to soup maigre
and brown bread, and yet succeeded in sing
ing roundelay with usual Celtic exuber-
ance after his repast, poor people can re-
gard sacrifices with more equanimity than
do the rich.
COAL A GOOD SUBSTITUTE.
Beside, cheerful fire of good soft coal
isn't very bad substitute for gas, and
Western people who are forced either to use
corncobs or hickory wood, the latter at $6 a
cord, regard sitting by bituminous coal
fire as the acme of bliss. The fact that coal
at 81 75per ton is within reach of the Pitts
burg public all the time will go far to pre-
vent extortion in the price of natural gas,
except among some rich people who will
pay almost any price for comfort and deliv-
erance from dirt.
1t is intimated by some who are posted on
the subject that should the price of natural
gas 90 much higher capitalists will COM
pete by making fuel gas as it can be made
at fair profit, with coal as cheap as it is
here, at the present cost to consumers of the
natural article. At present it cannot be
transported any considerable distance with
profit on account of the friction to be over
come, but there is nothing to hinder the es-
tablishment of extensive coke works in the
city, and some say they are confident ths
the difficulty at present in the way of tram
porting gas for considerable distances vii
in time be overcome. In any event tits
certain that the present and next genefl-
tions of Pittsburgers will not suffer seriously
on the fuel question.