The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-12-26
COAL OIL
FOR FUEL
Possibility for Using It Very
Largely In Wichita.
OWNER OF GUSHER HERE
To investigate the Freight
Rate Question.
ITS COST LAID DOWN
He Thinks VIII Not Exceed
IS Cents Per Barrel.

Beaumont oil may solve the fuel cues
ton In Wichita. Mr.. T. G. Atkinson.
the man who recently struck six inch
gusher with a capacity of 5000 barrels
of oil per Gay. is now in the city and il is
his intention before he goes away TO
thoroughly investigate the possibility OF
extending the market for crude oil to
this city.
At the Manhattan hotel Mr.. Atkinson
was seen last night by reporter for the
Eagle and in conversation covering a
great many phases Of the oil and fuel
question much information was CLEANED.
There are now 120 gushers at Beaumont
and the producing capacity is so largely
in excess OF the ability of railroads TO
handle the product that oil is cheap 1t
is selling for twenty cents per barrel and
some contracts have been made for as
low as ten cents per barrel or practically
a penny for every i've gallons.
Can oil be shipped TO Wichita and con
verted into steam at a less cost than coal?
Mr.. Atkinson was asked.
He thought that oil could be laid down
to consumers in Wichita at less than IS
cents per barrel. That however, was
only guess work with him. He proposes
to find out the exact cost TO the consumer
before he leaves here. It is now deliver
ed at GAINESVILLE. Texas. at 421k cents per
barrel and as that Is not much more than
half way between Beaumont and Wichita
h.
than double that amount laid down il
Wichita,
Three barrels Of oil will make as much
steam as one ton Of coal. so il it can be
laid down here at IS cents per barrel
heat equivalent TO that made by ton of
coal could be secured for 800. But oil
has a distinct advantage over coal in this,
that it can be better conserved. For
instance in the cooking of a light dinner
more. coal is used than the heat required.
In the case of oil it can be turned of or
on as required. For instance in COM
mon heating stove three gallons Of oil
will last nine hours in winter when fuel
heat required. When only moderate
heat is allowed it will last much longer.
According TO that stove heat would cost
in Wichita about half a cent per hour
on the basis of s. cents per gallon OF oil.
Mr.. Atkinson says that at Beaumont the
railroads are offering TO make fat rate
OF fifty cents per barrel to st. Louis, and
he thinks il they can carry il at that
rate to that city they could bring it here
on a rate no larger. II this could be
done it would force the coal men 10 place
their goods in Wichita at $3.50 per ton if
they would want TO compete.
Mr.. Atkinson says that there is a fur
Their advantage in oil as fuel in this that
a fireman could be dispensed with entire
Is. The engineer of plant could do all
the work as everything could be done
with sample twist of the finger in the
case of making steam out of oil.
There is now being completed a stove
for the burning Of this oil with economy
and John Cudahy. owner Of the packing
house in this city. is one Of the principal
owners OF the patents. The stove Viii
be put into general use hy the fifteenth
OF January and the hope is that after
then Beaumont oil. rs a domestic fuel.
Viii become a commodity for general use
where il can compete with coal.
Mr.. Atkinson saws he is certain Of see
when Beaumont oil viii be delivered to
consumers ia Wichita. at their doors, as
gasoline IS now delivered a less than two
cents per gallon. II. upon investigation
while here. he finds that nc can put OF
On the Wichita market at a less cost than
coal he VIII interest local manufactures
in the matter with a view 20 establishing
a delivery and distributing station here
The santa Re road ia Texas is now
changing all their engines operating in
thar section With view TO using oil for
fuel instead Of coal and Mr.. Atkinson
argues that that fact establishes the fact
that oil is Cheaper and more economical
than coal
The question IS ore worthy ~ the In
vestleauon OF Wichita people as is also
the question C piping gas 70 This point
from the recently discovered gas heies
near Caney which IS thought 10 Be the
nearest point in the gas belt 70 Wichita
II the introduction Of of would DO moth
ing else it would possibly serve to cheap
en- the price OF coal 50 that manufactur-
srr would be stimulated.