New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-06-06
OIL NAY SUPPLANT COAL.
BUSINESS MEN THINK USE OF FORMER
AS FUEL WOULD GREATLY RE-
DUCE COST OF POWER.

The announcement made in The Tribune yes
terdsy that the Interborough Rapid Transit
Company is preparing to use Texas oil 10 leeu
the fires OF its immense power plant that is TO
be built coupled with the previous announce
u1ent that the Morse Iron Works and Drydock
Company is substituting oil for coal, has caused
many business OF the city to consider what
financial advantages may come of an extensive
use of oil for fuel here. What seems to interest
the business men most. judging by expressions
heard yesterday. is the possibility of a great
reduction in the cost of power.
AT the present time" said a well informed
man in the business world, the cost of power in
the city is regulated by the price Of coal Prac-
ticaIly all the power used in the city is pro-
duced by the burning OF coal under steam Doll
ers. whether the power is conveyed by elec-
tricity or ether means, TO turn the wheels OF
travel industry Even in the case OF gas
burning engines coal has to be used in the
making of the gas. The use OF gasolene as fuel
IS limited to small engines. which use only a
small fraction of the power that is created in
the city. The number of water power engines
here is Insignificant Coal has been the general
fuel because it has been the cheapest. II Beau
mont oil can be delivered in the city in abundant
quantity at less than 80 cents a barrel, it will
decrease the cost of power almost one-half
.'Of course the law of supply and demand VIII
regulate the use of oil for fuel Ii the cor
porations that produce power on large scare
install Texas oil as fuel and create an enor-
NOUS demand for the oil here, one of two Things
might happen. The cost of oil might be IN
creased or the price of coal might go down.
Smaller concerns would be induced to change
from coal to oil only if the difference in the
cost of the fuel continued to be an incentive
ANY considera bic decrease in the cost OF power
would make great difference in the cost OF
manufacturing articles. II would stimulate IN
dusfrfes in every direction. The city would ne
the gamer in many ways.
II was remarked yesterday that the lnslaiia-
sion of oil for fuel to a considerable extent III
the city would be check on the coInblnalIoii
that keeps up the price of coal AT present
whether there are strikes in the coal fields OF
not, il was said. the combination is dple 10 heeP
the price of coal above what it should be, ana
the extensive use of oil would have ten
dency to lower coal prices 1t was salo TOO
that the use of oil fuel would be the means
of Kidding the city Of the soft coal nuisance
and help to make the air of the city free from
smoke. ...
1t is admitted that there can be no extensive
usa Of Texas oil fuel here until there is d
furnish the city with regular and enormous
supply of the oil. 1t would take some time 70
build such fleet. but the steamers would auu
materially TO the shipping at TINS port creating
new traffic of benefit to it
The example of the PETERBOROUGH Rapid iran
sit Company may be followed by other larse
traction companies. 1t was said by Representa-
tives OF some OF the companies yesterday tnat
they were not considering the question OF using
MI for fuel at present, because all their power
plants are operated with coal burning furnaces
It would cost something to change from coal 10
oiI hut If il was found that there would De d
,nateriaI saving in the cost of power by burning
oil under the boilers, the change coulo DC iiaue
without great loss Of time