The Washington times., 1902-10-11
BRICK SOAKED IN OIL A
SUBSTITUTE FOR COAL
Burns Fieroely and Gives
Intense Heat.
CAN BE USED IN COOKING
Discovery Believed to Solve the Coal
Famine-Guard Placed on
Brick Piles.

A solution of the coal problem has
been discovered to the joy OF some
Washington folk who have tried the
scheme, and say 1t works we'll. AS long
as the brickmakers keep busy and the
oil fields hold out there need be no fear
Of being cold this winter. Experiments
being conducted at the brick kiln of the
Monroe & Hail Brick Company with
salmon b-ick and coal oil have dem
and better than coke is within reach
of even the poorest people.
soft brick. one known as a sal
mon brick, from its color, soaked In
coal oil. will burn for from an hour 10
an hour and half at the cost of about
cents an hour. These oil-saturated
bricks may be burned in an ordinary
range or Latrobe, and produce an in
tense heat. The experiments conduct
ed by one of the largest brick makers
In the city were complete, and prove
that there is an easy way TO avoid the
fuel famine. Already number of
householders are heating their homes
with oil bricks, and the brick company
is making preparations for greater
run on its kiln than the erection of
a skyscraper would occasion.
The first experiment with porous
brick and kerosene was made last week
by Mr.. Charles Monroe at the plant in
the southeastern section of the city.
The salmon bricks are those which
come from the top of the kiln and are
spongy and light In the first test coal
oil was poured over the brick, a rude
fireplace made and the brick ignited.
1t burned twelve minutes. emitting
heat which extended for radius of
about six feet.
Soak for an Hour.
In the next test brick was sub
merged in oil and allowed TO remain for
an hour. When this brick was lighted
it burned fercely for an hour and
half. Experiments were tried with va
rious sorts of stoves. and the test was
uniformly satisfactory.
Mr.. Monroe began the use of the oiled
bricks in his own residence, and now
heats his entire house in this manner.
Others who are using the unique fuel are
Mr.. Henry Pennywitt, of the Weather
Bureau, who lives at 30 Ninth Street
southeast. Mr.. pennywitt has found the
scheme satisfactory substitute for coal.
t,a q ua1l
briekyard was the Mecca of coalless
washingtonians. The pilgrims were of
all nationalities and conditions. Caste
counted for nothing in the big struggle
for porus brick. The much despised
brickbat was elevated to position of
creasing in both.
Men. women and children, who had
given up all hope of finding fuel in
woodyards. journeyed to the kiln, and
z departed laden with bricks. Among the
poor people of the southeast section
of the city the discovery made by Mr.
Monroe-wbich few like wildfre-was
hailed with joy. and the opinion prevails
that it makes no difference now whether
The strike is ended or not
Porous brick, saturated in OIL makes
one of the best substitutes for coal yet
found" said Mr.. Monroe 10 a Times
reporter last night. "I experimental
with them, and after thorough test
found that they absolutely take the
place Of coal or coke.
Burned in Stove.
The bricks, soaked in oil, can be
burned in any ordinary stove. ! have
found that two of them, in kitchen
range, produce heat equally as intense
as that made by coal. Cooking can be
done by this fuel. 1t is clean. cheap,
and satisfactory
i see no reason why everybody in
Washington should not avail himself OF
this substitute for coal. believe ii will
come into general use this winter. Two
or three bricks, saturated with kerosene, 1
and placed III latrobe. will burn for an
hour and half. giving out a powerful
beat. sufficient 10 warm house 1t is
clean fuel, makes no dirt. nor is there
any unpleasant odor about it.
Many people in the Southeast have
begun to use the oiled bricks. The
bricks should be soaked in oil for an
hour, when they are ready for use.
Are bricks sufficiently porous? >" added
Mr.. Monroe. Well. should say so. A
salmon brick, by actual rest made by |
myself, win absorb one pint of coal oil. |
A brick of this kind takes up oii' like
blotting paper.
Become Red Hot.
A reporter witnessed an experiment. |
The oiled brick was lighted and burn. |
hercely. In few minutes # was glow
ing. red hot. and giving out as much |
heat as the ordinary stove At the eni
OF half an hour the flames had not d.
,iv.f-