Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-01-24
Ignite BEST
FUEL FOR N. D.
Said to be Cheaper and Far
More Satisfactory-It is
Fool Proof.

Bismarck. n. D., Jan. 24.-The pro-
duction of native ignite la increased
more than 200 per cent owing to war
conditions. Until this year the use
of Ignite has been largely local, ex-
cept as to state institutions. a majority
OF which have burned this fuel for
several years. Inability to obtain an
fore part of h season. and the fact
that the cost of the eastern fuel is so
much higher than Ignite. has over
come the prejudice which long mill
tated In the eastern part of the state
against the native North Dakota fuel,
and 1t is coming into general favor.
In spite Of this fact. production has
outstripped the consumption, and lig-
mite Is accommodating at the mines in
a valuable reserve supply sufficient
for n probable emergency.
While the cost of labor and supplies
which enter into mining have increas-
ed about 100 per cent, the federal
fuel administration has fixed the price
of North Dakota Ignite at the mine
at $3.50 the ton for screened lump
coal. This price is lower in some in
TORE the war. but every mine operator
IN North Dakota has checrfully ac-
cepted this regulation. with the pro-
vlso that where mines are not located
on railroad spurs. the cost of hauling
to the car may he added to the orig.
inal price. Lignite miners are earn
ing all the way from IS a day to $25
a day. The last named maximum
was recently earned in a single day
by a miner employed at Bitumina.
a fair average for Ignite miners at
the present rate of wages is 81 a day.
The work is not unpleasant. and Is
FAR safer than mining in the middle
western and eastern districts. Casu-
alties in h Ignite industry are rare.
Ignite GOA is delivered to dYmes-
tic consumers bins in Bismarck for
$3.50 a ton. and during average win
ter weather the ordinary Household
will consume a ton a week. 1t there.
fore becomes by far the most econom-
ical fuel that can be used in North
Dakota. and there is the further ao-
vantage in it's I've that every dollar
paid for Ignite remains in the state,
the biggest percentage of it going to
the miners who dig the coal. Ignite
in Fargo and other Red River Valley
more than in Bismarck. the cost Of
hauling from the central Ignite fields
being added. North Dakota has a
very favorable Ignite rate, establish
ed with a view to building up this in
dustry.
Ignite may be burned in any fur
mace built to consume either anthra-
cite or bituminous coal. and il crush
ed it may be used satisfactorily in
base burners. There is little free gas
and practically no sulphur in the ma
tive fuel. 1t is practically sootless,
and almost absolutely clinkerless. The
coal burns to a very fine light ash.
resembling wood ashes, and it will
hold a fire indefinitely. Furnaces and
stoves may he checked tight al night
after the first fumes of the coal have
been permitted to burn off. with no
fear Of an explosion or of gas leakage.
In kitchen ranges Ignite. broken into
small pieces. produces a very intense
AMI lasting heat. and it is a particu-
larry satisfactory fuel to bake with.
Central North Dakota has burned
Ignite almost exclusively for a quar-
ter Of a century. Some advocates Of
the use of Ignite in the eastern por-
ton of the state have gone much into
detail with regard to methods which
fully They have made a rather diff
ficult rite of it, which doubtless has
discouraged nan who otherwise
would prefer to use this fuel. Any
central North Da kotan will insist
there is no mystery about Ignite. 1t
will burn under any conditions COM
mon to the use Of anthracite or BIZ
luminous: that it is foolproof and
safe and, best Of all. that so long as
there is a single atom of carbon left
in the firebox, it. never goes out. no
matter how long it may be neglected.