Newport daily independent., 1904-01-27
THE COAL WE USE.
An Article of Which the Generality of American Housewives
 Know But Little.

New York Press writer asked a house. holder who burns 25 tons season: (Which do you prefer, red ash or white ash?" After a little hesitation he re- N piled: T really don't know what you mean. didn't know that coal is made from ash, and don't think ever heard of a red ash.' "Oh, that has nothing to do with it. Of course coal is a 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 white" He was 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: T always use the white ash coal, for the reason that it is so much cleaner, both before and after using. It makes a 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. I don't like the stuff"
 A merchant who ought to know what he is talking about said: Buy red ash coal ever time. It makes things very comfortable about the house. You can start 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 a new resident: T shall want six tons of coal for the winter insist on having white ash coal. Can you supply it at once before the price goes up?" ''To-morrow early enongh?" "Yes. ]" "All right; it 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 it isn't all right, sir! You have cheated me. insisted on having white ash coal, and you have sent red ash. What are you goiag to do about it?' I'm awfully sorry I 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 it is worth dollar ton more. Still. l al ways believe in giving a gentleman what he orders, and we'll take this coal back If you say so"
 If I 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. mo- No man living can tell the diff ference between the two kinds until he sees the ashes I've been in the business 30 years, and I can't tell. But do know one thing-red ash coal is as far ahead of white ash coal as sunshine is ahead of moonshine" Well I'll overlook it this time; but hereafter get what or der, or there'll be trouble. I've a legal right to make you take this coal back. ''You have only to give the order, and I'll obey" 'I'll see how it turns out. That night the merchant called. and the transaction was mentioned. Lucky dog" he said. ''Red ash every time! And you get it as cheap as dirt" So the matter was dropped.
 The anthracite trade began with an output of ,965 tons in 12 months It has grown to 70,000,000 tons annually. Tn 1903 the city of Philadelphia bought 100 tons of anthracite for use in the pumping works, but the engineers, not knowing how to burn 1t, broke 1t up to gravel the walk in the yards. In 1914 two ark loads were sold at the falls of the SchuyllSill for $21 a ton. morning was wasted in futile attempts to burn this coal, and at noon the employer and his workmen, discouraged at their ill., luck, shut up the furnace and went to dinner. On their returR they were aston ished to find roaring fire, the furnace doors red hot and the furnace itself in danger of melting From that day dates the successful use of anthracite in Amer ica.
 Personally, have yet to learn the diff ference between red ash and white ash coal as regards merit But never had the happy experience of the furnacemen above. Here is my luck: First, few newspapers crumpled up and lighted; secondly, a bushel of kindling wood thirdly, shovelful of coal; fourthly, a wait for half an hour for the coal to start; fifthly, more coal; sixthly, my morning ablutions in blissful conscious ness of duty we'll done; seventhly, a re- turn to the cellar to find-a roaring chilliness, the furnace doors frigid to the hinges and the furnace itself in dan ger of collapsing in liquefed air. then drop a small word or two in the cold quiet of my subterraneanism and calmly proceed to shake out that roaring fire" (expected) into the bottomless ash pit, The dust gets into my five senses and my hair. all over my shoes. up my brooches, down my collar. I am hot enough by that time to look at a fire and make it burn.
 PrecOciOus.