Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-06-04
INTO The BIN''
WEEK, JUNE 3-S
FUEL ADMINISTRATION URGES
NECESSITY OF BUYING COAL
THIS SUMMER.

Only summer storage OF domestic
coal will prevent serious fuel famine
next winter, according to D. F. Cush-
ing of the U. S. Fuel Administration.
The zone system bars much of the
eastern Goals upon which Iowa has
depended for much of its tonnage. The
government demands place heavy
drain on Iowa production. Iowa in
stead Of producing slightly over nine
million tons, as last year, must pro-
this season.
MINES HAVE BIG INVESTMENT
Thirty million dollars is invested in
Iowa mines, employing nearly 10000
miners. AS an economic factor alone
they must be kept at high state of
efficiency. To supply the needs of
the coal consumers of the state mines
must be kept going, full tilt, this
summer. 1t is an imperative neces-
3sity and a patriotic duty. Otherwise
suffering all over the state will result.
The Fuel Administration has desig-
mated the week of June 3-8 as a
special week for ordering fuel, and
has enlisted the operators, miners,
and railroads. 1t will be up to the
ultimate consumer"
Do not pile Iowa screened lump coal
over eight feet high. Coal which con-
tains much dust or fine PARTICLES
should not be piled over four or five
feet high. Iowa steam coal should be
piled in small piles not over three or
four feet in height, which can be read
lily moved in case of spontaneous
heating.
Store a larger size of coal than is
to be used, if possible. The loss due
to stacking will be minimized if this
is done The larger sizes of coal are
also less liable to take fire spontan-
eously.
Keep out dust as much as possible,
by storing only screened coal, and by
careful handling in piling.
In pfling coal, see that the Jumps
and fine coal are distributed evenly
throughout the pile.
Avoid alternate wetting and drying.
Coal stored under cover should be dry
when stored.
If coal is stored in sheds. they
should be rain and wind tight; other
wise nothing is gained over storage
in the open.
pipes and flues which may do more
harm than good.
If a coal pile shows signs Of heat
ing, spread out the entire pile SO that
1t can cool off. Coal which has been
stored six weeks or more. If cooled
off and replied will seldom heat again.
Storage under water will prevent
stacking to a large extent and will pre-
vent any losses due to fire. Many
engineers believe that storage under
water is the only practical way of stor-
ing Iowa steam coal n
The losses due to spontaneous COM
bustion are often not confined to the
coal pile, as records show many dis
astrous fires from this cause Ordi-
narily IL is difficult to put out fire
in coal pile with water from a hose
as a crust forms over the fire so that
the water cannot reach it and it Is
usually necessary to remove the coal
from around the burning part before
the fire can be put out. II a coal pile
catches fire, the entire pile should be
spread out to cool off.
An order issued by the fuel
administration dealing with anthra-
cite coal bases the delivery on
the amount used during the year
ending March 81. 1917. 1t IS
thought that very little or no coke
will be available for delivery to do
nestle trade this year. Dealers will be
permitted to deliver anthracite coal
only to former users of this fuel and
coke and so far as possible are to con
fine their sales to former customers
II is not likely that thew will receive
the full amount of hard coal which
they require to fill orders and GUS
toners are urged to stock up on soft
or bituminous coal.
No person, firm or corporation, act
ing alone or in conjunction with 9th
ers, shall directly or indirectly pro-
vide any domestic consumer with any
more coal or coke before March 81,
1919, than is necessary with the
amount already on hand to meet the
actual needs of the consumer up to
that date.