The Washington times., 1902-08-19
Use of Briquettes in Ger
many Described byCon-
sui General Mason.
is MADE FROM MINE WASTE
Consumed in Berlin and Other Large
Cities Almost to Exclusion of Coal
Both for Domestic and Manufacturing
Purposes-Made of Waste.

most successful substitute for an
thracite coal. and a great economizer
of fuel generally, is described interest,"
ingly in report on briquettes Just re-
ceived at the State Department from
Consul General Frank II. Mason. at
Berlin. The briquettes are used almost
universally in Germany. according to
Mr.. Mason. They are cheap and clean.
and they burn with practically no
smoke
| Mr.. Mason says:
Among the several branches of Ger
man industry which deserve the atten-
tion OF Americans by reason of their
economy, their recovery or utilization
of some raw material which exists un-
used in our country. or because they
involve knowledge to technical pro-
cesses, may be reckoned the manufae--
ure of briquettes from brown coal. peat.
and the dust and waste of coal mines.
"Briquettes form the principal do
mestic fuel of Berlin and other cities
and districts in Germany; they are
used for locomotive and other steam
firing and are employed for heating
in various PROCESSES of manufacture
For all these uses they have three tangi-
Bile advantages-they are clean and con-
venient 20 handle; they light easily and
quickly and burn with a clear, intense
flame; they make practically no smoke.
and are. withal, the cheapest form OF
fuel for most purposes.
Manufactured by a Syndicate.
Like most other German industries,
the briquette manufacture is con-
trolled by a syndicate. which includes
among its members thirty-one firms and
companies. or more than nine-tenths OF
all the producers in this country. and
regulates the output and prices for each
year. From the official report of the
syndicate for 1901 which has recently
appeared. II is learned that the total
output for the last year was / ,5Ss,3S5
tons, to which is to be added the prod
uct of makers outside the syndicate,
consumed at works. small retail sales,
etc., making total of 1894 tons.
THE average selling price in large
quantities was 1915 ton. against s2.32
for the year previous; SO that. notwith-
the general relaxation of In
iustrial activity and the diminished
pressure upon the oCal supply, the -ut-E
ing price was the highest that had
been realized since 1891. or the 1,556-
's5 tons sold by the syndicate last year.
I49, EOS tons were taken by the German
124.3s0 tons were sold to re-
tailers. 497. .l2s tons were sold 30 fat
.ories and works of various kinds, ard
I49,GS9 tons, or 9.S per cent, were used
by German merchant steamers and the
navy, or exported to the German col
,nies or neighboring European countries.
Absence of Smoke in Cities.
The general use of hriquettes for
domestic fuel in a large, denseIy built
,ity. as we'll as for generating steam
n number OF electric generating
,lants, must have decided and hene-
lcial influence in Kidding the smoke
which in most American cities has be-
ONE persistent and oppressive nui-
ance. Berlin. although a busy manu-
acturing city, ranks as one of the
leanest and best kept in Europe. One
Il the first things usually noticed by
and English travellers visiting
he German capital for the first time Is
he absence of that cloud of dusty smoke
hat overhangs so many towns and cities
n our country. The reason for this lies
n three facts. These are:
THE preponderant use of coke and
riquettes, which are practically smoke
ess; the skillful scientific construction
I boiler furnaces and chimneys. and the
Ugh standard OF skill that is taught and
nforced amor. firemen who stoke fur
aces with coal for steam and manu-
acturing purposes"