The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-04-06

its steamlng value declining sometimes
fifty per cent.
These matters are of first moment
In naval movements. Fuel Is the vital
and most important factor in the ef-
fective service of war vessel, and uu-
less i'm abundant supply and of suitable
quality, the vessel will be So seriously
hampercd as to be of little use. and II
is Of no less Importance that there
should hc an entire absence of smoke.
HARD COAL DISPLACED.
For many years it was the practice
when making trials of new cruisers, to
use anthracite coal for fuel Later.
though for what reason cannot he as
certained soft coal replaced the hard,
and 10y degrees the latter has come to
he used almost exclusively on board all
the vessels on the navy. Indeed, i'm the
reports of the Bureau of Equipment
from 1898 to 1896. the reports of the
many vessels show 5Oi record tests of
soft coal; one of foreign anthracite and
only two of American anthracite
In almost every instance the line
officers recognize the advantages of an
thracite. They have stated that owing
to the fact that anthracite is smoke
less. a vessel using it can approach
nearer an enemy or, when waiting for
the approach of a hostile ship. can dis
cover the latter some time before it
itself can be seen. Further, as already
indicated, where a fleet is engaged in
maneuVers near an enemy. the absence
of smoke permits the prompt and cor
rect reading of signals and insures
greater safety in the movements of the
rlnt, oil, a, Ia.
engaged in firing. They state, also.
that in a cruiser, if anthracite were in
the coal bunl<ers and a shot should
penetrate, the coal would not deterior-
ate and when the flow of water was
stopped, that which had run into the
coal could be drawn off. leaving the
fuel i'm satisfactory condition for use
and altogether free from any danger
Of spontaneous combustion, such as
would take place if soft coal were used.
AN IMPORTANT POINT.
"Stil another important point is,
/ that if anthracite were supplied to the
| various COaling stations, a hostile fleet
capturing such IA station would be al
a disadvantage, since it's fire CRATES
would not he calculated to obtain the
/ best results from anthracite and
/ further, it's men would not be accus-
/ toned to it.
From every point of view anthracite
offers decided and substantial adVant-
ages over soft coal. It's steaming pro-
pensities are as great; it is easier tC
handle and safer to store: it is smoke
less; and free from danger of spon.
taneOus combustion"
With reference to the present cOndi,
tiOn of the anthracite market the let.
ter says:
The past month of March has proved
. one of unexpected and exceptional dull
. ness in the anthracite market. The un.
usually mild weather reduced house
hold consumption to a minimum and, a.
a consequence, there has been praCtiC
ally no demand on retail dealers, ant
they, in turn. have not found it neceS
sary to lay in supplies from the initia
sellers. Notwithstanding this, how
ever, the latter have maintained price
with unexpected firmness, and whil
there have been the usual rumors o
material concessions, in no case haV
they been substantiated, excepting a
To some small sales on coal which wa
claimed to be below standard.
April has opened without any i'm
provement as TO buying. and with al
added uncertainty as to the pOssibilt.
of spring circular being announced
The situation will undoubtedly b.
helped materially by keeping the pro
duction within the estimated consump
tion of 100000 tons, as with even
small buying movement this shOul
permit the marketing of all freshl
mined coal and "A fair portion of tha
carried in stock. II is fully eXpecte
that this estimate will he adhered t,
and, while the result may he a scarcit