The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-07-21
PASSING OF The STEAM ENGINE
THE GAS ENGINE rs ALREADY
TAKING IT'S PLACE.
The New Motor Can ne nun on the Poorest
Quality Of Coal, and Even on hagnite and
P~eat-Saying Of slOO, Goa, to S2OO,-
OOO, 900 I'm the COuntry's o Bill.

OOO.OO I'm the COuntry's Coal Bill
WASHINGTON. July 2O.-The successful
result Of experiments calculated to revolt.
tionize manufacturing and transportation
in America was announced by the Geological
Survey to-day. The announcement Ia ac-
oompanied by the remark that ~technologists
have known for some time Of these expert
ments. but that the general public. and
even some of the large manufacturers. ave
scarcely heard Of them. The official an
nouncement is hat eminent engineers have
actually reached the conclusion that we
have come to the passing Of the steam
engine. and that the gas engine or internal
combustion motor Is already taking its
place.
The new power means a saving, the Geo
logical Survey says. Of from 500, 600, 900 to
$500, 900, 900 every year in the country's Goa
bill; and II is declared that a manufacturer
who uses a 5000 horsepower engine of the
new type will actually save ST $50 per year
in the cost Of fuel. II is cited that the
United States Steel Corporation has recently
abandoned the use Of 100 steam engines in
favor Of h gas motors. although some OF
these steam engines we're exhibited at 81.
Louis only four years ago as the highest
type OF the development Of steam power.
1t Ia declared by the Government experts
and others who have been experimenting
with gas engines that the new form Of power
can be applied to transportation also
through the use of electricity. and The action
of the New York Central N the New
Haven roads in deciding TO equip a con-
siderable section Of their lines with cleo
tricity is cited.
One Of the big things about the new
power. as the Government experts see it.
In the fact that internal combustion motors
can be run on the poorest quality OF coal.
and even on Ignite and peat. In fac any
thing in the way Of rue hat will produce
gas is good enough for the new type Of gas
engine. The new form Of power means, it
is declared. that hundreds Of thousands OF
square miles Of Ignite coal beds in the Far
West can be used for fuel; for it has been
demonstrated hat the internal combustion
motor will produce more power even from
poor Ignite h can be produced by first
class coal when used under a steam boiler.
Also il is promised that the smoke nuisance
in great cities will be abolished, for the
internal combustion motor produces no
smoke.
That the new form Of power has passed the
experimental stag Is shown by the fact that
internal combustion motors Of 5000 horse
power nave already been constructed and
are in successful operation. The engine has
demonstrated its ability to produce from
two to nearly three times as much power
with a given amount of coal as the steam
engine. Not only this. but it has proved that
the very poorest Goals In the gas producer
------.z - a. ~N-uNx 49, A. o-.I
does in the steam plant. Still further il has
generated power from Ignite (the lowest
form Of coal where the Ignite has refused
to do any work under the steam boiler.
The peoples coal bill in 1905 was 81 500, OOO.-
600. One-third Of this. or $500, 900. 900. il
is estimated went for coal to produce power.
For three years the Government experts
labored at the fuel testing plant at st.
Louis with striking results. The plant, 80
far as fuel testing is concerned, has been
moved to Norfolk. Va, where the test
are being continued. IL was found at the
beginning that the losses in the utilization
Of fuel for the development Of power, heat
and light were 80 great that in a ton Of
coal consumed in an ordinary manufac-
turing plant less a S per cent. Of the
total energy was available for the actual
work Of manufacturing. 1t was found
also that in ordinary locomotives only 3
to S per cent. of the fuel energy is obtained
for pulling the train. This Is about the same
as II a housewife took a barrel Of -four and
succeeded in getting only one small biscuit
as the entire result.
Robert Haywood Fernald, an engineer
employed by the Government in charge Of
producer gas tests under the Geological
Survey, says that the value Of the results
10 not limited to the coal producing section
Of the country. but that il extends through
all the States and Territories where even
a poor grade OF fuel is found. He thinks
the manufacturers OF New England alone
by adopting the gas engine. for the
present coal bill OF these manufacturers 10
approximately $50, 600 600.
Furthermore" said Mr.. Fernald. If gas
producers can be introduced on ships and
river boats not only will millions be saved
in coal but far less room will be required
on board for its storage. With this much
cheaper gas operation steamboats, and
river craft will no doubt become a much
stronger competitive factor
face that the poorer forms of fuel can be
used successfully for the internal COM
bustion motors. North Dakota and Texas
brown Ignite and Florida peat have proved
successful and have actually produced
more power when applied to the new gas
VII NtAnhft Aeo otNsA w AZ cO6
West Virginia coal when used under a
steam boiler.
1T would seem chimerical,- said Mr..
Fernald, TO predict the doom In the near
future OF the steam locomotive. yet oneo Of the
officials Of the New York Central Railroad
has publicly declared that in his opinio OIL
there will be no steam locomotives operating
on the New York Central road in ten years.
Already the New York Central is arranging
TO substitute electric power on It's lines
from New York city to a point forty miles
from the Grand Central Station, and ex-
~tensive tests IN the use Of the electric loco
motive are being made between Rochester
and Buffalo.
These rapid changes are leading to one
end-the GENERALIZATION Of power develop
ment and distribution. They point to the
time. and at no distant day. when great
central plants will be located at the various
mine centres and the electric power will
be transmitted and distributed to railroads,
industrial plants. cities and the various
institutions where electrical energy is
needed. The great railroads will operate
their trains by electricity and the passenger
will be freed from the annoyance of smoke
| and cinders; and the railroad locomotives
| and the railroad yards. which are now
| the most unsightly places in our cities,
will become comparatively clean and free
! from smoke. Furthermore, the introduce
- k~..o ni.o.r,n Dxu Mill lia-Iaoo