The Washington times., 1902-10-12
COAL SUBSTITUTE
INTERESTS PUBLIC
Office and Brick Kiln of
Local Concern Besieged.

Charles Monroe, of the Monroe d Hall
Brick Company, who explained in, The
Times how soft bricks soaked in petro-
leum could be used as cheap and re-
liable substitute for coal, was besieged
yesterday by the public. More informa-
tion on the utility of oil-soaked bricks
as fuel was demaneded.
All day the telephone rung, and he
was able to attend to little business.
When he returned to his home last night,
worn out by the work of answering
questions concerning the proper method
of consuming fireproof brickbats, people
were waiting there to secure from him
information on fuel. When he went
down to the stable to put his horse up
for the night he encountered these
seekers after information. He was
forced to divulge what he knew Of the
substitute for anthracite coal at $50 per
ton During the evening many people
dropped in TO pay Mr.. Monroe friendly
visits. They did not know him, but Mr..
Monroe was familiar with the process
of turning a brick worth half a cent into
an eight-inch slab Of fuel worth its
weight in coal.
One of his visitors was James w
Cheney. librarian of the War Depart
ment, who called upon Mr.. Monroe as a
committee from the War Department
the account of the substitute for coal,
and were eager Immediately to secure
some of the fuel.
Mr.. Monroe assured his visitor that
porous brick saturated with oil would
burn for more than an hour, giving out
an intense heat. and that its use as a
substitute for coal is practical.
Made Trouble for Clerks.
The run on the brickyard Of Monroe
& Hall began early yesterday morning. |
1t was raining, and the vicinity of the |
kiln was muddy, but no one was de- |
TERED. As soon as the clerks appeared |
they began to have trouble. and in two
hours the force was exhausted. When |
Mr.. Monroe reached his office list of |
names covering many sheets of paper |
awaited him. Everybody wanted inform
alton May people telephoned for fur
their details Mr.. Monroe was sorry he
had ever mad T2eriments with kero-
'ene and brirt IN the afternoon four
muddy policemen plodded through the
brick yard clay. secured an armful of
tricks and departed happy. One of them
explained that his wife was very much
excited over the news that bricks could
De burned, and he did not care to show
himself at home without material TO
start fire.
The pilgrimage to the kiln lasted
throughout the day. and the proprietor
ays he is sure that the run on he clay
'ank VIII continue today. he was
gloomy about it last night
John II. Pryor. of S23 a Street south
asst. learned of the process of treating
,ricks with oil several days ago from
riends in Connecticut He told Mr.. Nom
oe. who made a number of experiments.
ir. Pryor is now doing all his cooking
ver an oiled brick fire. and people liv
ng in the neighborhood are doing the
ame.
Those who have tried the bricks for
uel say there is no danger of an ex-
Dlosion. They claim that a hot brick
nay be dipped in a pan of oil without
anger.
Coal Market Unchanged.
The condition of the coal market in
Washington has not changed Soft coal
5 selling for SO per ton, while wood
nd coke have advanced in prices. Hard I
oal can be bought in small quantities {
t some yards for SIG per ton A few =
ons were purchased from one dealer l
esterday at s12 each There has been d
slight advance in the price of oil. d
Housekeepers complain that the gas +,
ow is restricted during the Jay and i
EAR they will not be able to depend ,
pom it for heating purposes. Dealers in
IL stoves are doing considerable busi- ,
ess. One of them said yesterday that
ne result OF the coal strike. and the =
onsequent scarcity Of fuel, would be >
} induce hundreds Of people to use oil !,
ermanently for heating purposes.