Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-09-23
CAUSES BRISK DEMAND
People Trying Substitutes for
Anthracite Coal.
OIL GIVEN PREFERENCE
HIGH PRICES ASKED FOR ALL
SORTS OF FUEL.
More Soft Coal Used Than Ever Be-
fore-Advance in Oil
OIL GIVEN PREFERENCE

Stoves.
The coal famine is causing brisk demand
for all sorts OF substitutes for black dia-
monds in the fuel box. This demand anects
particularly local Industries which deal IN
oil and gas appliances and vendors OF WOOD.
Hardware merchants and stove dealers
visited today said that the demand for oil
stoves is unprecedented and that the de-
mand for gas ranges has also greatly in
creased. Oficials Of the gas companies were
not slow to display their unhappiness over
the increase in the demand for their pro-
duct. declaring that the high price of coal
made it next to impossible to produce gas
profitabiy.
Never in the history Of Washington has
there been the demand for stove wood as
there is today. The farmer who lives with
in hauling distance has watched the market
with more than ordinary interest, and he is
today in the city asking price that Is al
most double what he receives In ordinary
times. He who has wood pile IN the coun-
try realizes that he has substitute that
can be delivered easily and he is taking ad-
vantage Of the shortage Of fuel to get al
most any price that he may ask.
Substitute Inadequate.
There is no longer any use in trying to
disguise the fact that the various substi-
tutes suggested for anthracite coal will be
unable to satisfy wants other than In an
imperfect and limited way. The demand
for appliances Is abnormal and general
throughout the Atlantic seaboard. 1t Is
predicted by dealers of manufactured ap-
pliances for heating purposes that If the
demand continues even another week they
will be unable to supply 1t. They argue that
the manufacturers do not feel 1ustlhed IN
employing larger number OF men and In
vesting in material unless they are assured
that the strike may be continued 1ndeh-
nitely.
The gas companies are using the coke
that they make. Ordinarily this refuse Of
the coal used In the production or gas is
sold for private consumption. Not load
of coke has been sold by the gas COM
panies of this city for nearly a month. for
the reason that the companies have been
obliged to use their own product
They argue that 1t is as equally important
to light the city as to heat it. In order to
conserve all materials which enter into the
manufacture Of gas, they have found 1t
necessary to use every resource that comes
In the process Of manufacture, thereby
economizlng to every extent.
There Is no limit to the speculation that
one may indulge in II the strike in the an
thracite region shall not be settled speed
lily. Where houses lack proper heat 1t means
an increase in mortality. No matter how
healthy a city may be, il houses are not
properly heated deaths will lie increased.
Physicians and hygienists realize this, and
they are interested more than any one else
in the question Of substitutes for anthra-
cite COAL
Rated as the Best.
OH is regarded as perhaps che best sub
stitute that can be easily obtained. More
oil stoves have been sold by dealers during
the past two weeks than ever before. There
are comparatively few houses in Washing
ton today where anthracite coal is being
used for heating purposes. OIL and gaso-
line are brought into requisiiion for cook
Ing purposes wherever stoves or ranges are
owned.
One dealer said this afternoon that he had
ordered a car load of oil stoves, but that he
was not sure they will be delivered because
of demands made previously from cities
farther north
The appearance Of the sun today was a
Godsend to many people Of the poorer
classes, to whom hard coal Is of no conse-
quence. They were glad to know that the
stormy weather that usually attends the
change in sea sons was over and that there
was a possibility Of good weather for a
time. Every day the sun shines and warm
weather obtains means a saving 20 the poor.
Prices Demanded Today.
Anthracite coal today brought $40 ton,
and only few tons were delivered Some
kinds of prepared wood sold as high as SlI
cord. Soft coal is being delivered in lieu
Of anthracite to many homes, but in small
quantities.
Dealers who read the story on the coal
situation in yesterdays Star declared today
that the dealers in the Cumberland district
are not restricting the output in the inter-
est of getting higher prices later on They
a tor in he mol ic
deep enough for the transportation of
greater loads than are now being brought
to Washington
There is more oil being used in Washing
ton today than ever in the history of the
city. The fact that Washington is east of
the mountains Is protected to certain ex-
tent. and that cold weather does not visit
US until later than other cities farther
west. means everything to people who are
without coal. Should good weather con-
tinue another month there would be COM
paratively little suffering In the city.
Soft Coal in Use.
More soft coal has been used in Wash
ington during the past two weeks than
ever before The anti-smoke law is no
longer heard of. No one cares whether
there Is smoke or an absence Of smoke L.
is question of fuel.
The price of oil stoves has gone up and
| there Is every Indication that the price will
be higher. Every one who has a substt-
| tute for hard coal is reaping a harvest just
at this time.
The question Of bringing Welsh coal to
this city Is still being considered by local
dealers. 1t Is estimated that the foreign
product can be delivered here in Washing
ton at a cost not to exceed SO a ton.
Will See What Can Be Done.
Commissioner Macfarland has received
the following reply to his telegram of Sat
urday to President George F. Baer of the
Reading Railroad Company at Philadelphia,
asking II the company could not furnish
the District 5000 tons of anthracite coal for
its schools, as was done in the Quaker city:
Il have Instructed the coal department to
see what can be done for YOU"
Commissioner Macfarland replied: SAC
cept the thanks of the government of the
District Of Columbia"
The authorities are hopeful that a good
quantity of coal may be secured from the
Reading company.
A communication has been received by
The Star from resident of Washington to
the effect that "A coal user with a large
family Of school children would like to