The Washington times., 1919-11-21
OIL TANKSFOR
Dc. PLANNED
Arrangements Under Way to
Supply All District Power
Houses.
BY BILL PRICE


Germs operating in Mexico is consid-
erfng the erection on the water front.
Of this city OF huge fuel oil tanks
from which fuel may be furnished
for boilers and machinery now supply
ing power from bituminous coal.
The engineer department OF the
District government has been consult
ed about the project and is in SYM
pathy with It's purposes as method
of combating coal strikes or coal
shortages in the future.
Representative OF the company who
took the matter Up with District
authorities were directed to submit
their plans and to Investigate the reg
ulations applying to such structures.
When the plans are submitted the
engineer departmer. will consider
them carefully and In all probability
make such amendments to the resuls-
tons as will permit the enterprise to
become a reality.
1t was pointed out by representa-
tives of the company that this fuel
oil my be brought directly to WASH
fnxton by water from Mexico giving
prices far cheaper than II the trans
portation wcre by rail. Water trans
portation would likewise be an insur-
snce against interruptions to supplies
such as would occur in the event Of a
widespread railroad strike
Other Cities Have Tanks.
Other large cities of the country
reached by water have these fuel oil
supply tanks. and this fuel is said
to ba coming into favor owing to tie
dangers threatened by coal mine
Representative of the company are
said TO have made a partial canvass
OK the city to ascertain the possibil-
tiles Of the use OF fuel oil as a sub
stitase for coal and to have received
sympathetic attention among Federal
and District officials who realize
what might happen to the activities
OF the Federal and municipal govern
mentk in the event Of a prolonged
coal strike or railroad strike.
Colonel kutz, Engineer Commission
er OF the District, when asked about
tne matter today, said that he had
conferred with representative of
the company and had directed the rep
resentattvs how te, proceed icoionei
kutz believed the scheme 10 be an
excellent one for the Federal Capital
as guaranteeing against dangerous
possibilities that might be brought
about through absolute dependence on
one class of fuel only. Not only that.
he Believed the substitution OF fuel
oil would make a cleaner city as oil
Is srnok etess
Colonel Kutz said that 1t vas com
parativelyi easy to replace coal-5urn-
ing machinery with fuel oil appa-
ratus. and that in times of dire stress
the change could be made quickly. He
WAS nos poster as to the relative cost
Of coal and fuel OIL In the opinion Of
District officials the establishment
here -of large supply tanks woule
cause prompt inquiry from many
quarters as TO the substitution of the
oil tor coal as fuel.
Guard Against Dangers.
The first duty OF District officials
would be that of safeguarding resi-
dents OF the city against dangers OF
explosion and fire. Their next in
terest would be IN the question OF
whether Il would be advisable to
equip District plants with fuel oil
burners or at least have the ma
chinery ready in case OF need
The present coal situation is SUI
/, ficfent for District officials to give
Though; TO possibilities. The coal
supply OF tn District is obtained
rom the big Government fuel yard
nder the act of Congress establish
ing these yards. the director pur-
chases coal for the District along
vfth supplies Tor the Federal govern
ment At the beginning OF the coal
strike November 1 the Government
coal yard had supplies OF bituminous
coal on hand sufficient to last until
December Is. and these supplies have
been increased to some extent but not
In quantities that are desirable with
the hardest part OF winter just be-
ginning
Throughout the city the coal sup
riieS have diminished and are being
conserved TO the fullest extent. There
is no immediate danger OF serious
shortage among public utilities. The
gas company, through its excellent
management. can run four months
longer without worry. The Potomac
Electric Power Company. which sup
plies power and light for the city
generally. including the lines of thc
Washington Railway and Electric
company. has been favored in the
distribution of coal supplies By Gov.
ernmentsl agencies and Is in good
shape. The plant OF the Capital
Traction Company is also fairly well
-,pplied