The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-06-25
USING CRUDE OIL AS FUEL
REVOLUTION IN THE FUEL PROB
LEM Is AT HAND.
Railways in California VIII Utilize Pc
troleum--it Viii Save Fifty Per
Cent in Cost.
New nrlenna rImoa.pemocrnt.

New Orleans Times Democrat.
Los Angeles, Cal. June PA revolu-
ton Is being wrought out In the fuel
problem " the Pacific coast. so wide OF
effect that it's influence viii be felt
throughout the entire country. and among
those who are most Interested IN the
result OF California. During the last
year these roads consumed nearly two
millions Of tons OF coal, at cost OF
SIC, 100000 They are now being equipped
for the burning of petroleum fuel of
which seven million barrels win furnish
nm equivalent power at cost Of not to
exceed $5.o00.o00, leaving net profit
to the roads for use IN the payment Of
dividends of at least S5.000,oO0 additional
to previous net earnings,
Many statements have been made OF
late regarding the saving by the above
mentioned change, but accurate figures
have not been heretofore ohtainable ON
which to base certain estimate. For
number Of years both the Southern
Pacific and Santa Fe roads have used fuel
oil on their locomotives in that portion
Of Southern California lying west of the
san Bernardino and south of the Teha.
chapi mountains, the supply OF oil not
warranting the roads in extending the use
of the new fuel further. The years dur
ing which oil was used in the section al.
luded 10. however. gave the railroads
an excellent opportunity TO test Its merits
and the result has been that they have
agreed that three and half barrels or
oil Is the economic equivalent of a ton
of httuminous coal, costing on an average
at the point of consumption about 80,
Petroleum fuel has heeu considered fully
80 per cent cheaper at the average market
price. which is above the present price,
During the last two years immense
gains have been made In the production
Of fuel oil, the established fields have
been extended. and number OF new
| fields have been brought into production,
mand, aud many wells are not pumping
to their full capacity. This makes Il DIFF
| heult to determine the productive power
| of the oil fields of the State at present,
but il Is believed that were ali the wells
to be pumped the output of the state
would be about 100000 barrels annual
| lY The productive power Of the State a
! year ago was 1000, 900 barrels.
The railroads of California In carrying
| ont orders which have already been is.
sued for the burning Of petroileg4m fuel
| barrels a year and viii hereby make q
| saving over the use OF coal of 50, 1913 900.
The eonsumption Of oil at Los ~. angeles GEL
| fornla for Industrial purposes, outside of
| the railroads and rehneries exceeds a
million barrels a year while IN this city
Il
| production of HSphaltum have a capacity
| Of a million and half barrels a year, and
| can be counted on for the consumption Of
| about a million barrels During the first
| tiye months Of the current year forty -nine
| of the largest former consumers Of coal
| in San Francisco have obtained permits
sion to use petroleum fuel. These Include
| three street car lines, two shipyards, sew
| eral large iron works and many factories,
| which VIII consume large quantities. az
| oil. The Southern Pacific ferry boats on
| San Francisco bay are 10 use the new
! fuel Seven of these ARE always in com.
| mission -Four decp-water vessels arc
| building on the Atlantic coast for use on
| the Pacific. which have n tonnage Of 1000
| each, and which are 10 be equipped for
| burning either coal or petroleum. Fifteen
steamers plying the SACRAMENTO river ARE
| 10 use petroleum fuel, Petroleum is com.
! ing into general use for the manufacture
| of fuel gas, and this nj lower prices than
| have prevailed Is coming Into far more
| general .use for domestic purposes,
| Throughout the mining region of the
Southwest crude oil and distlilates are
rapidly supplanting coal for power pur
| poses
The statistical situation looking some
months Into the future is.therefore, IA
! vorable to the belief that within few
months there will he a demand FOR fue
oil In excess of the present productive
| power OF the wells nov drilled. and the
drilling of new wells Will be greatly slim
ulated,