Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-02-10
BYRD TELLS HOW ONE
SHOULD BURN SOFT COAL
Onc-Third OF An Coal Mined Is
Wasted Through Care
ieSSncSS.
LITTLE HOPE FOR ANTHRACITE;
People Must Accustom Themselves
to Use OF Soft Conl-Its Use Will
Prove One OF Most Valuable Les
sons OF the War.

In view OF the fact that thousands
of Richmond homes arc using soft
coal. simply because hard coal cannot
be obtain Harry l.. Byrd, Federal
fuel administrator for Virginia. has
issued the following instructions as to
how 20 obtain the best results from
tho bituminous variety. These in
Structions are being printed in pamph
lot form. and $4,000 OF the pamphlets
viii be distributed among tho house
holders in this State. The official
statement follows:
The only objection to the use OF sctt
coal seems to he that NC have not been
accustomed to it, which is a common
objection TO the use OF many other
things. IF the people will only accus-
tom themselves TO the use of soft coal
now, when the necessity conpels us.
we will all find in the future what
now appears TO US a hardship will
eventually prove to be one OF the
greatest and most valuable lessons
taught us by the war.
1t is wcll-krown fact that about
one-;hiTd or more OF all coal mined is
wasted result OF carclcssness.
ignorance and Indifference
HOW TO GET REST
RESULTS FROM SOFT COAL
The fuel administration is doing all
in its power to relieve the situation,
and it is up TO the people 10 give it
into the spirit of these recommended
tons.
Firet-Whcn starting Il fresh fire lay
aside some lump coal. Ii too large.
break the Jumps to about the size OF
an apple. This will prevent too much
smoke while tho fire is burning up and
getting into good shape. After the fire
is burnt up bright keep feeding il with
lump coal until the necessary depth Of
fire is made. after which the coal can
be used as it comes. Care, however.
should be taken to see that il is only
put on the fire in small Quantities
Never put heavy bed Of green or fresh
coal on the fire, as this will prevent
the free passage OF air through the
bed of fuel with the result that too
much smoke and unconsumed gas will
be formed, which means. not only. a
direct loss OF coal, but the deposit Of
SCOT Will be too heavy in the passa 20
to the chimney and In the chimney.
and VIII in Turn reduce the efficiency
OF the heating apparatus
Second-Bcforc putting a fresh supnly
OF coal on the fire always use tho
poker, stirring the fire up from the
CRATE and breaking the surface os ths
fuel bed properly: then let the fire
ourn few minutes, or until the flames
have disappeared. Then apply fresh
charge. but, as already advised. only
a slight covering. The methods OF
using the two kinds OF coal arc en-
ureIF opposite TO each other. The
hard-coal fire should never be disturbed
ny the use of poker. while the more
the poker is used with the soft coal
fire the better will he the results.
Third-Nevcr entirely close TIM
damper TO the chimney. There must
always he free escape for the gases.
FouTth--lf the fire ie banked at
night, the front part OF tho crate
should be left bare: banking tho fire
10 the back and covering it we'll with
inc coal. leaving the fire door omen.
closing the ashpit door and partly
closing the damper TO the chimney: but
40 not close the dampcr to such an
extent that the gas will be prevented
from going up the chimney
f!nal!S-kccp the ashpit comnara-
lively clear OF ashes and sec that no
unburnt coal or Cindcrs arc wasted
The ashnit should always appear bright
from the fire 10 set tho best results.