The Alaska daily empire., 1921-02-05
UTILIZATION OF BROWN COAL.

The full significance of the announcement of Dr. Frank of San Francisco that he has perfected pro- cess for the dstilIaon of brown coal and that he proposes to utilize the brown coal fields Alaska in that way may have been lost to the average reader. It certainly ~ has been upon those who have not followed the great development of the brown coal fields of Germany. Amonia tar, paraffne, oil, tuuol oi lubricating oils fuel oils, benzine and; other products extracted from the brown coal by the process of Dr. Frank, and the residue is very fine usuable coke.
 While this process is in the United States, and far know Dr. Frank is a pioneer in its development here, Germany has lead the way in the dstillaton of brown coal and it is predicted in that country that within very few years Germany will only be producing all the fuel oil she needs and enough to supply Europe but that her tank steamers will be carrying it America. Germany development of the for dstilling brown coal and extracting the valuable products from it during the war, when, at the command of the General Staff, 90 0e9 ehemiss went to work furnish -lubr eating oil at time when the lack of it threaten ing further operation of trains machinery needea to prosecute the war. The work has proceeded until it is now declared in. Germany that can be pro duced From brown roal at cost only 17 per cent greater than the producing it from, mineral oil feIds and the products extracted have been null tiplied a, Experience has shown that the cost of production is q very insignificant item in the ketng cost, of oil from the wells
 Robert Cro2fefil ilLong in recent article in the struggle industrial kings of Germany acquire possession of @brown coal fields in that country since the development of the dstillaon process is comparable with a:Nall Street fight for the control of American railroads
 The from the brown coal is also a very valuable product but, of course can be utilized only n the vicinity of the distilling plants It furnishes the power however, for the operation the plants and may be used in any other industries in the vicinity that may require cheap power. As result or the development of the disting process and the eNploltaton of the brown coal beds Germany many industrial centers are springng into existence one which will employ 150,00O The ashes from the coal, it has been discovered makes very serv- iceabe cement, and thereby solves the housing prob lem for the workers They are building cement houses with this product. .., ...- ..
 This process for the disation of coal and tho American discovered using pulverized coa Is adding force to the declaration of the German scientist, HeInholtz that century hence the burn Ing or coal will be punishable as arson" Already German professors say burning coal is a "piratica waste"
 Alaska has vast fields of brown coal, which is 2 younger coal than the black coal. IIgnite is among the brown coal varieties Lignite younger deposits ot brown coal are found along the entire Alasks coast and in the Interior It is said that a great deal Of il is situated in Southeastern Alaska ana Valley and elsewhere in the Interior of Alaska i lheXhaustible. What the development of all these HeIds would mean to Alaska taxes the imagination