Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-10-05

| Martinique, and we should like to do
what we can to make our trade relations
with you closer. Indeed, I may say the
French will do all they can to meet the
people Of the United States in this way.
We should be glad to buy anything OF
you when it is not to our great financial
advantage to buy 1t elsewhere
along what special lines can our trade
with France be most easily increased?
I asked.
There are several lines replied Mt.
WELLER, "and especially that of coal. I
should say that you could give us our
surplus coal quite as advantageously as
| the English or Belgians. Our annual pro-
duction of coal is about IL, 100000 tom.
short of the demand, and we have to go
to England or Belgium for supply. The
United States could easily furnish this
and I hope that arrangements can be
made to that effect.
HOW FRANCE KEEPS WARM.
Since saw Mr.. WELLER 1 have had fur
Their talks about the coal industry Of
France with other parties. 7 am told that
the time is ripe for the introduction Of
our coal here and that there is no doubt
that if properly pushed it could make its
way into the markets. At present France
is using about 45,000,OO0 tons of COAL and
the home production last year was not
4ulLS oo,VuUOO luis. OAly pei CCuL. VI
this is anthracite, the remainder being
bituminous and Ignite. Quite a lot Of
American coal was coming into Marseilles
before the anthracite strike at home, and
I understand that it is successfully COM
peting with the Cardiff coal there. The
American coal receipts at that port du-
ring the last year have been over 100000
tons. The most of the Havre coal comes
across the channel from Great Britain,
and that of northwestern France from
Belgium via railroad and canal.
All sorts of fuel are used in France
and that most economically. There is no
waste of wood or coal. Many of the rail-
way companies used coal dust for run
ming their steam engines. The dust Is
pressed by hydraulic force into brfquettes
or bricks. Coal dust pressed into balls
the size Of eggs is used for cooking and
also for housekeeping and CRATE fires. It
seems to heat as we'll as lump coal.
Here in Paris wood is sold by the bun
die and the ordinary woodward is little
store about eight or ten feet wide, fac
ing the street, the wood and kindling
being piled up on shelves. It is estimated
that France spends almost s70.0o0.o00
year for wood, and am told that wood.
outside of kindling, is so costly that it Is
only used by the rich.
A great deal of gas is now being used
for COOKING. especially in the larger
establishments. There are no hot water
pants or steam heating plants to speak
of, and the average fiat or office building
is heated by coal stoves or CRATES. The
people do not know what it is to be warm
in the American sense Of the word, and
the luxury of fire is dispensed with,
except in the coolest weather.
YANKEE COMFORTS FOR BABIES
have already spoken Of the American
toys which are sold in different parts Of
Europe. You may find some in Paris
and they are to my mind prettier than
the French toys, and, as a rule, much
cheaper There is an opening also for
our baby carriages, both here and In
England. Those used in Paris and Lon
don are the most uncomfortable things l
have ever seen. The London baby is
wheeled about In sort Of foot bath on
wheels, called a perambulator. The most
common carriage has two seats, so that
it can be used for twins If needed. and
it is not uncommon to see 1t so occupied.
Even the perambulators are rough look
ing, and the beautiful basket work affairs
made in America would certainly sell. =
The baby carriages OF France are more
like ours, but they are not half 50 COM
Portable nor SO pretty. The best are made
Of basket work. with four wheels two big
ones and two small ones behind You see
the little ones of Paris everywhere in the
parks and public squares in such car
riages. Each has nurse guarding 1t and
as rule 9 policeman or soldier is
nearby. graf uitously guarding the nurse.
FRANK G.#CARPENTER.
ss
The ways of fortune fret the soul
of him who has his bread to wiz,
Fer soma we're born to own the coal. ~