New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-08-11
Coal Consumption
In Britain ToBe Cut
At Least a Fourth
New Government Order
Regulates Use of Fuel
in Every Household

AS an unintentional by-product, the
war has put human interest into coal.
In the old days coal and the coal prob
blem were as dry as dust, but not now.
The size Of the plain mans newspapers,
the illumination Of the streets, the ef-
fectiveness of railroads, the fullness
production, as we'll as the degree to
which he and his family may be COM
PEELED to SILVER through coal short
age, all combine to make coal the COM
modify Of the hour.
Over in Great Britain the authorities
are resolved that diminished coal sup
plies shall be used as efficiently as pos
sible toward helping crush the power
of the Teutonic armies. Under the
the new household fuel and lighting or
der, which went into operation recently,
at least onefourth Of the coal previously
available for domestic use and con-
sumption in Britain must be saved.
And the conservation measures has
been so scientifically worked out that
the householder may make part of his
saving in gas and electricity. The alb
surd possibility of saving coal through
the use of gas and electricity has been
forestalled
The method Of relating coal, gas and
electricity is to fix fuel allowance
IN tons and to permit the substitution
of $4,000 cubic feet Of gas or 800 units
of electricity, according to the inter-
probation of the measure by the Board
of Trade. Fuel may be converted into
gas or electricity at the option of the
consumer by quarter tons, but not by
less fraction.
The reasons for coal shortage which
made the foregoing economy necessary
are given as follows by "The British
Bord of Trade Journal:
"(a( The withdrawal of $4,000 skilled
miners from the collieries, which
means a reduction in output of $780,
600 tons Of coal in the year.
"(b) The requirements of the Allies.
The coal essential to the war indus
tries of France and Italy has now to
be found almost wholly by Great Brit
ain. Coal is also sent to neutral coun-
tries in exchange for the food and sup
plies needed by us, and has obtainde for
the nation the use of neutral ships in
all parts Of the world. The further
supplies for these purposes will be about
12,500,000 tons per annum.
"(c) The restriction on coastwise
shipping occasoned by the submarine
pest and the diversion of tonnage to
war transport have aggravated the
strain thrown upon the heavily bur-
dened railway system of the country,
and apart altogether from the quantity
OF coal available reduction in the
quantity to be moved is inevitable"
May Ration Industrial Plants
This order deals with house coal
only, but includes in this supplies for
home industries and for bakers, laun-
dries and other businesses which may
be used in substitution for household
work. 1T is useless to economic in
coal at home if the washing or baking
is done elsewhere. 1t also includes sup
plies Of coal for heating and cooking.
wherever used. Later, it may be neces-
sary to proceed to the rationine of
coal for industrial purposes of all
kinds not directly associated with the
conduct and support of the war.
1t is not considered possible tn so-
cure any appreciable economy in con-
sumption in the smallest and a.
houses. The cost of the supplies of
fuel has always been a deterrent 70
anything except the most careful con-
sumption. AS the size of the house
grows, the consumption of fuel has
usually grown at greater rate. This
can not now be permitted, and it NAV
be observed that the scale proceeds on
the approximately even basis of one
ton of fuel per room up to twenty tons.
commencing with minimum quantity
OF three to four tons. according to the
climatic and other conditions prevail
ing in the district, for it is not
thought feasible and right to enforce
an identical scale upon all parts of the
country. There must be a saving in
fuel at all stages, but there must be
greater saving among larger houses to
make up for the laser saving among
the smaller houses.
At first sight it may look to those
unfamiliar with the facts as if there
we're practically no saving required in
the larger houses, but this is to mis-
!odge the situation. The enforced saw
ing Will amount to so per cent in nu-
merous cases: The household ration
ing scheme will save 100000 to 9,O00,-
oOo tons, leaving balance Of 26 5000 900
TO 11,oo0'oOo tons to be provided by
improved output and economies in in
oustrlal and transport consumption.
1t is intended where gas or cleo
trlclty are consumed in excess to cur
tail present or future supplies of coal
TO offset such excess. It is also in.
tended to enforce the provisions of the
order as to economies in gas or cleo
triclty consumption, If not by direct
prosecution Though this remedy is
available), then by direct means.
Some Allowances Are Made
Additional fuel is allowed whera tho
number of persons habitually resident
in the house, fiat or tenement exceeds
six, up to twelve rooms. An additional
ton Of fuel is allowed for every room
over fifteen until a maximum of twenty
tons Is reached in the scale, and addi-
tlonal gas or electricity for lighting is