New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-09-28
CHEip FUEL.

Although the prospect varies slightly from
day to day, the general outlook for an ample
coal supply during the coming winter Is GER
tainly far from encouraging. If there Is not
to be such dearth of anthracite and soft coal
as 10 amount to positive famine at any rate
there is a probability that both OF them Will be
sufficiently scarce TO maintain prices materially
above last years level Consumers who have
not already laid in their usual stores or have
not contracted for the same unable TO tell
how long their anxiety will continue An
embarrassing situation which at one time 1t
was hoped would end in few days has now
stretched out through four months, and 1t
threatens TO last indefinitely. Even after the
strike is ended there is no telling when quota
tons will get down TO a normal basis
In these trying circumstances the owner or
a steam plant may well consider the expedi-
ency of using petroleum in place of coal So
far as the general feasibility Of liquid fuel is
concerned, there has been no room for doubt
since it was employed to run the power station
of the Columbian exhibition In Chicago nine
wears ago. When this fact is supplemented
with another the use of oil on something like
a hundred big steamships to-day, it will be seen
that discussion must be confined to minor ana
incidental features of the scheme One Of these
is the style of boiler required for oil II an
entirely new plant is being designed, perhaps
smaller and shorter tubes than are introduced
where coal is burned might be preferable. Yet
Professor Denton conducted two weeks trial
of Texas oil in this city last winter with
furnace and boiler formerly run with coal, and
he secured highly satisfactory results The
experiment not only demonstrated the excel
lence of the product OF the Beaumont wells,
but also the simplicity of the apparatus which
it was necessary TO attach for feeding and
burning the oil. The cost of this was prob
ably less than $50 Even were 1t two or
three times as great it would pay for itself in
a few days with coal at present prices. 1t has
been found that three and half or four bar
rels of oil, costing 10 cents a barrel, will de-
velop as much steam ton of coal. With
the latter selling for 81 or s. ton there would
be an enormous saving in fuel bills, to say
nothing of the reduction Of labor. Sticking
would be almost automatic and there would
be no ashes TO remove.
The most vital Of the remaining questions to
be considered relates to the possibility of get
ting steady supply of oil Ample assurance
on this point is already afforded. Within the
last few days The Tribune has specified the
vessels which are now bringing petroleum from
Texas as well as those which are expected
TO engage in the same traffic within the next
few months. Independently Of these resources
however the metropolis already has at its dis
posal the residuum left at the Standard OIL re-
fineries after the distiIation of crude petroleum
for Illuminating and other purposes This
refuse is equal in heating power to the unre-
fined product of the Lone Star State. Re
siduum is extensively employed fuel by
steamships on the Caspian Sea and elsewhere
If The Tribune is not mistaken, it Is also en-
ploved at the Morse Iron Works, In South
BROOKLYN In place Of coal Only a little in
uuiry is needed on the part OF interested per-
sons to satisfy them that oil In abundance is
already available and at prices which render
It distinctly cheaper than coal