Newport daily independent., 1904-09-17
THE COAL WE USE.
An Article of Which the Generaltfs of American Hsusewfves
 Knew But Little.

Coal IS so common necessity Cn1t We do not take the trouble to know any thing about it. The other day, says . New York Press writer, asked house. holder who ourns 25 tons . season: (Which do you prefer, red ash or white ash?" After . little hesitation he rs- piled: q really don't know what you mean. l didn't know that coal is made from ash, and don't think ever heard of . red ash." "Oh. that has nothing to do with 1t. Of course coal is . vegetable product but the red ash or white ash re- ferred to is not tree, but the refuse of burnt coal-the ashes. Some of these ashes are red; some are vhite." He waa much surprised, and promised to find out from his dealer whether he had always used red or white.
 A second householder, being asked the same question, replied: "I always use the white ash coal, for the reason that 1t is 50 much cleaner, both before and after using. It makes hotter fire, and never burns out the grate-bars. It lasts longer than the red ash and is cheaper in the long run. You couldn't hire me to use red ash coal. l don't like thu stuff."
 A merchant who ought to know whSt he is talking about said: Buy red ash coal ever time. It makes things very comfortable about the house. You can start a fire with it in half the time you can with white ash; the fire is twice as hot; there is less dust; there are fever ashes. Stoves using red ash seldom burn out, and they give out more heat than when using white ash. Of course, the red ash costs more than the white, but is cheaper in the end"
 A coal agent booking orders was told by new resident: ''J shall want six tons of coal for the winter. insist on having white ash coal. Can you supply 1t at once before the price goes up!" 'To-morrow early enongh?" "Yes." "All right; 1t will be there." It came and was dumped into the cellar. At the first cleaning out of the ash pit under the furnace our friend found only red | ashes. He was wroth. The coal man happened to drop in. Coal all right?" "All right? You know 1t isn't all right. | sir! You have cheated me. Insisted ou l having white ash coal, and you have l sent red ash. What are you going to dc about it?" I'm awfully sorry. cer- tainly put in the order for white ash. But you've got the best of the bargain, sir. We've billed this coal to you at the price of white ash; and you know 1t k worth a dollar ton more. Still. al- ways believe in giving a gentleman what he orders, and we'll take this coal back If you say so."
 of wanted to be mean I'd make you take back every bushel of it. and then I'd buy my white ash elsewhere. Didn't you know it was red ash?" Lord bless you, no. No man living can tell the diff Eference between the two kinds until he sees the ashes. I've been in the business kS0 years, and can't tell. But do know one thing-red ash coal is as far ahead pf white ash coal as sunshine Is ahead bf moonshine." Well, I'll overlook N his time; but hereafter get what or er, or there1l be trouble. I've legal light to make you take this coal back. :" You have only to give the order, and
 
 hat night the merchant called, and the Insaction was mentioned. Lucky dog, " said. "Red asn every time! And you 1t as cheap as dirt" So the matter dropped.
 he anthracite trade began with an put of ,965 tons in 12 months. It has wn to 70,000,000 tons annually. In the city of Philadelphia bought tons of anthracite for use in the ping works, bat the engineers, not ing how to burn it, broke it up to the walk in the yards. In 1914 rk loads were sold at the falls of tho
 lkill for $21 a ton. A morning
 tasted in futile attempts to burn
 bal, and at noon the employer and
 rkmen, discouraged at their ill.,
 hut up the furnace and went to
 On their return they were aston
 find roaring fire, the furnace
 ed hot and the furnace itself H.
 bf melting. From that day dates
 essful use of anthracite in Amer.
 ally, have yet to learn the diff
 etween red ash and white ash
 egards merit. But never had
 experience of the furnacemeI
 lre is my tuck: First, few
 crumpled up and lighted;
 bushel of kindling wood;
 Bhovelful of coal; fourthly, a
 alf an hour for the coal to
 ly, more coal; sixthly, my
 lutions in blissful conscious
 we'll done; seventhly, re-
 cellar to tnd-a roaring
 he furnace doors frigid to
 hd the furnace itself in dan-
 sing in liquefied air. then
 word or two in the cold
 lbterraneanisIn and calmly
 Hke out that roaring fire'
 10 the bottomless ash pit
 into my five senses and