Newport daily independent., 1904-01-22
THE COAL WE USE.
An Article of Which the Generality of American Housewives
 Know But Little.

Coal is so common necessity that we do not take the trouble to know any, thing about it. The other day, says 8 New York Press writer, 1 asked house. holder who burns 25 tons a season: (Which do you prefer, red ash or white ash?" After a little hesitation he re- piled: T really don't know what you mean. didn't know that coal is made from ash, and don't think ever heard 3 of red ash.' "Oh, that has nothing to do with it. Of course coal is a vegetable 5 product but the red ash or white ash re- \ ferred to is not a tree, but the refuse of I burnt coal-the ashes. Some of these ashes are red; some are white" He was much surprised, and promised to find out I from his dealer whether he had always used red or white
 A second householder, being asked the same question, replied T always use l the white ash coal, for the reason that l it is so much cleaner, both before and after using. It makes a hotter fire, and I never burns out the grate-bars. 1t lasts | longer than the red ash and is cheaper in the long run. You couldn't hire me to use red ash coal. don't like the stuff 7
 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 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 1 the furnace our friend found only red ashes. He was wroth. The coal man happened to drop in. Coal all right?" "A1l right? You know it isn't all right, ! sir! You have cheated me Insisted on l having white ash coal, and you have sent red ash What are you going to do ! about it?" I'm awfully sorry. cer- 1 tainly put In the order for white ash. ] But you've got the best of the bargain, l sir. We've billed this coal to you at the l price of white ash and you know it is worth a dollar ton more Still. al- ways believe in giving gentleman what he orders, and we'll take this coal back l If you say SC"
 "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 1t was red ash?" Lord bless I you. no No man living can tell the diff ] ference between the two kinds until he sees the ashes. I've been in the business I 30 years, and cant 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 1t this time; but hereafter get what or der, or there'll be trouble. I've 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 i, ,965 tons in 12 months. It has grown to 70000,000 tons annually In 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 it up to gravel the walk in the yards. In 1874 two ark loads were sold atthe falls of the Schuylkill for $21 a ton A 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 return they were aston ished to find a 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, a few newspapers crumpled up and lighted secondly, a bushel of kindling wood; thirdly, a shovelful of coal; fourthly, wait for half an hour for the coal to start; ffthly, more coal; sixthly, my morning ablutions in blissful conscious ness of duty well done; seventhly, 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 liquefied air. I then drop a small word or two in the cold quiet of my subterraneanism and calmly proceed to shake out that roaring tire' (expected) into the bottomless ash pit. 1 The dust gets into my five senses and my hair, all over my shoes, up my brooches, down my collar. I am hot