New Britain herald., 1922-09-19
First Consignment Of Anthracite To Reach City In Several Months Received Today.
Fuel Administrator Urges Conservation by Use of Soft Coal Wherever Pos. sible.

With the thermometer hoverin, between 40 and 50, faint suggestion or frost on the roofs and lawns empty furnaces staring into the face Of still emptier coal bins, New Brit ain people awoke this morning turned over in bed and realized witt start that the coal situation is { serious problem and not a mere idl, dream.
 Magical Coal Dealer.
 Members of the fuel commission local coal dealers and others who are in touch with the situation have beer stating right along that people did not realize the seriousness of the coal sit uation. People read in the news papers, according to local dealers that there Is no anthracite coal on hand, then go placidly on, serene in their confidence that when they need coal. the coal dealer will roll up his sleeves. borrow hat from, some gentleman in the audience" wave a magic wand in the air. say Presto Change" and the coal will appear.
 Almost 4O,O0O.OO0 Tons Short.
 And in the meantime there is no coal. Although coal shipments from the anthracite mines started the day the mines resumed operations, the year will end, it is predicted with a shortage of 40,o0O,ooo tons under a normal production
 35.O0O Tons Short Here.
 According to all indications New Britain will be in the neighborhood of S5,ooo tons of anthracite coal short between this date and the first of January 1928. These figures are based on a fairly accurate estimate of the normal demand for hard coal in the city, and the amount of that commodity now being shipped "
 Would Burn 5O.OOO Tons Here
 In ordinary times, New Britain would burn from the middle of Sep tember until the end of the year at least 50,000 tons of anthracite coal There Is no anthracite coal to speak of in the city now. or at least there was none until the arrival of three carloads this morning. These three cars carrying approximately 15O tons
  average daily shipment will amount to from now on until the close of 1922.
 Average May Be 3 Cars Daily
 While there may be days when more than this amount will come in the difficulties of winter shipping in New England, as we'll as the car shortage due to the railroad strike are expected to so seriously cripple shipping as the weather becomes colder that the daily average is not expected to go much higher than the three cars.
 Cold Winter Ahead.
 There are S6 days, not counting holidays, between this date and Jan- uary 1. Figuring at the rate of 15O tons per day, this would leave the city short approximately 30,000 tons. Allowing for an extra 5000 tons over the daily three car shipment, would | still leave New Britain 35,00O tons short of the required amount.
 We will get through this year with a very tight squeak" said Chairman E. W. Christ, of the fuel commission yesterday
 Desperate situation.
 It Is because of this situation that the fuel commission has ordered all business blocks, public buildings, apartment houses, schools, churches, city departments. etc, to burn noth- ing but soft coal until the first of January and has notified private pur- chasers that only 1 ton will be al- lowed for every five ton burned last year and nothing over 3 tons to any one person.
 That the situation will not im- prove very much until the end of of mild weather again next spring, is felt by those who are in touch with the situation. There will be short age this year, over the average out put at the mines. of between 30,000- poo and 40,000,000 tons. If the min PTS can be prevailed upon to work fix days every week and forego the , holidays for which that region s noted. this shortage may be cut town slightly. $ The following instructions on burn { ng of soft coal in furnaces is pub i ished by request of Chairman Christ , of the fuel commission, and local peo- 6 ,le are requested by Mir. Christ to t ut them out and paste them up in s ,ome convenient spot near the furn- lce:- I Open all drafts lay in your kindling | requires less kindling than anthra- f 'ite)
 Put in a layer of coal, about the anne amount as you do with anthra ite coal.
 Light the fire and let it get well aueht. after which add a little more N cal. Keep the fire-box hlied a little more s' han half full to get most economical le esults. :, When fire is burning briskly, close d ottom draft tight, but only check lightly the damper in the smoke pipe n r chimney draft a Experiment a little with the chim- W