Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1910-05-23
FUEL FOR
RAILROADS

of-mne" coal for locomotive use. because
1t Is cheaper per ton and because II helps
the mino to dispose OF product often
otherwise unmarketable. This grade OF
coal has a high percentage OF slack. and
requires a great deal OF handling. Every
handling Of the coal results In a breakago
or crumbllng of from 1 TO s per cent. 1t
has been proved that tho losses OF coal In
handling run from as low as y cents to
as high as 81 per ton handled, owing TO
distance from the mine and the type of
coal handling appliances. The desirability
of obtaining the typo OF coal handling de-
vice which will cause the least possible
crumbng, is apparent
or course, the cost OF locomotive fuel is
affected by the distance from the mine
The average cost Of hauling locomotive
coal is mills per ton mile, which amounts
TO cents for one ton for ten miles, or 81
for one ton for 1,cOO miles. In this state
ment is to be found the reason why western
railroads. far removed from coal mines
but in easy access OF oil fields, have come
to use petroleum rather than coal for the
purposes OF locomotive fuel. Moro than
20 100000 barrels OF crude petroleum is
burned In railway locomotives annually
The conservation experts are opposed, as
a matter OF national economy, to tho use
OF crude petroleum as q power OF produc-
ing fuel, except on the Pacific coast, whore
transportation charges make the price Of
coal so high.
A concerted effort is now being made to
solve the problems presented In the loco
motive fuel supply question. This move
ment, however, is OF comparatively recent
origin. But one railroad system in the
country has installed a'uniform system OF
accounting for its fuel On tho Santa Fe
system the fuel Is under the control Of q
specially organized fuel department from
the time 1t leaves the mine until it Is put
on the tender. Yet it is admitted that even
this system is not yet complete. although
1t is more efficient than any other In the
country. But the department showed In
the first year OF its operation that II was
able to save 100 times as much money as
II cost to operate. 1t is necessary to say
that 1t will prove a popular success.
The International Fuel association, now
meeting in Chicago is just one year old. its
first meeting having been held one year
ago. 1t has the record of being the largest
railway organization of it's age ever in
existence and it has attracted more atten-
ton in this country and in Europe, both
from railway men and others than any
other railway organization. That 1t intends
to attack the fuel problem in practical
fashion is evident from the program of the
meeting. Six papers have been prepared
to be read and discussed Their subjects
indicate their practical value
The first Is entitled Grade of Fuel Most
Suitable for Locomotive Use Considering
Cost Of Traffic and Best Interests of Pro-
ducer." This will BIO discussed by both
railway and coil mining men. The titles
Of the other papers are: Recommended
Methods of Preparing Coal for Locomo-
| tives." Standard Uniform, Blanks for Re
porting All Items of Cost in Connection
! With Fueling Stations and Handling Fuel,
For All Types of Stations and Conditions"
Accounting for Fuel Consumed. and In
dividual Records of Performances"
Methods OF Purchasing Fuel with Re-
gard Both to Traffic Conditions and to
Producers interests and Relation Between
Producer and Railroad" Methods OF
Supervision! Instruction and Encourage
ment in Locomotive Operation to Secure
Greatest Efficiency in Fuel Consumption"
AS a result of this meeting It is expected
that many railways will inaugurAte sys-
TENS which will permit OF cooperation In
fuel economy. Already new fueling sta
lions are being built. new coal handling
devices are being erected, and a missionary
campaign Is being carried on among loco.
motive crews In the interests of saving
money and saving coal. Locomotive crews
are being specially trained in the art OF
practical economy in firing and locomotive
handling that the greatest amount OF
power may be produced by the use Of the
least amount OF coal. Crews thus specially.
trained are sent all over the country to
teach the working crews the lesson Of prac-
teal economy. Now that the mines Of the
great railroad men have been turned to-
ward the solution OF this problem. great
things may be expected in the reports OF
the third annual meeting Of the Intsrna4
tional Fuel association one year hepee.
BY FREDERIC ]. xAsxIM.
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