El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-04-17

NTASHlNGTON, y. c.. April IA
w new motor fuel. which enables
airplanes to fly 1000 feet higher than
they have ever flown before, and auto
mobiles to travel much faster than the
most tolerant Of speed laws will per-
nit, has recently been discovered by
the fuel experts Of the bureau Of
mines.
Fortunately, for the future Of the
harassed pedestrian. the new fuel is
much too expensive FOR general use
in automobiles. although racing ma
chimes may be willing 20 pay the price
During their investigations the
same experts produced O superior fuel
Tor automobile mixture OF gaso-
line and benzol-which has been
placed on the market at gasoline
prices If this fuel can be produced
in sufficient quantities, Il viii IN
doubleday take the place Of gasoline.
Ihls quantity production depends en-
tirely upon how extensively we de-
velop our coal by-products. BenzoI is
q by-product Of coke, and so far il
is being made only in very limited
quantities
For the past few years We have
been living under the awful terror Of
a gasoline shortage AT one time we
were supposed to have only 80 years
supply ahead. and scientists all over
the country started working on gasO-
line substitutes.
Can We Keep Ups
Now that the war IS over. the gov
eminent is once more auXiously scan
ming our petroleum resources and try
ing 10 figure out just how long the
increasing production viii be able TO
keep up with the increasing demand
There are some who are disposed TO
take an optimistic view OF the mat
ter, pointing out that when our wells
refuse TO yield any more oil, our west
ern shale beds can be profitably
worked. But. in the meantime. IL is
agreed. conservation measures should
be Instituted The petroleum experts
of the bureau OF mines are. therefore.
endeav0ring TO devise methods for re-
covering more petroleum from the
earth. and for stopping the wastes
that are so common with producers
and consumers
This is only one Of the many activ-
tiles in which the bureau Of mines is
engaged for the purpose Of helping
American industry Petroleum Is OF
paramount importance TO industrial
development. so the bureau devotes
great deal Of study TO IT, But hun
dreds of other minerals ana industrial
processes are being constantly investi-
gated in its many service stations and
laboratories
Mangnnese Steel
For example. we had never before
considered II necessary TO make man
ganese steel out Of the manganese de-
posfts in our own country. instead.
we had been accustomed to import
the ore from Europe When our ships
started carrying troops. munitions and
food however. this Importation had
to be cut down. Then the bureau OF
mines managed 20 discover some de-
posits Of high-grade manganese In
certain localities in this country.
where their existence had never been
suspected Whether or not American
manufacturers viii continue 10 purify
their steel with American manganese
ore, once the European product is
thrown back on the market remains
70 be seen: but &c IS gratifying 10
know that we could be self-support-
ing in this line II the occasion de-
e.
Under the stress OF war, the Pitts
burg service station Of the bureau Of
mines also developed new type Of
marine boiler for army transports.
which saved large amounts OF coal
With this boiler, six tons OF coal does
the work formerly done by seven tons
Substitute for Radium-
At the service station OF the bu-
reau OF mines al Golden. Colo. which