The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-09-06
Soft Coal Recommended

The Observation-Disclosures in COM
mon with all the other individuals In
this section, has been seeking In
formation as to fuel. 1t Is quite
apparent that anthracite, Commonly
spoken of as hard coaD will not be
available in sufficient quantities to
completely fill all demands. This
will be true even II the threatened
coal strike fails to materialize. The
deficit will be more pronounced, OF
course, in case of a strike. In the
absence of labor troubles, this de-
ficiency will not be alarming. 1t
will be manifest in the nature of de-
lay rather than otherwise. 1t Is
quite possible that hard coal will
come along that everyone would nm
ally have his requirements filled al
though probably for most of the win
ter the coal bin would have rather
meagre supply. In case OF strike
there undoubtedly might be times
when a party insisting upon hard
coal would be entirely out.
As to camel coal and soft coal, an
entirely different situation prevails,
There is an ample supply of both at
the present time and 1t looks as II
there would be. This situation
makes 1t desirable to know the differ
ing fuel value of anthracite, camel,
and soft or bituminous coal. Writ
ing from Washington, our townsman,
Dr. George Otis Smith gives some
interesting comment on this subject
DR.. Smith is at present member OF
the United States Coal Commission.
He must necessarily be fully in
formed on this subject. DR.. Smith
says:
Camel coal Is free burning,
rather pitchy coal, which Is especi-
ally adapted for use in open CRATES
For this use it has no superior and
has been a favored fuel in some parts
of the country. 1t derives its name
from the fact that specially pure
varieties burn almost like candle"
at also has the advantage of be-
ing clean to handle, but Is not at all
as we'll adapted for furnace and gen.
eral heating use as the lower price
bituminous coal which I suppose
reaches the Skowhegan market at
something like the same price as has
been quoted to you for camel coal"
Whether Governor Pinchots ef-
forts are to be crowned with success,
we cannot yet foretell, but under the
Instructions of the President, the
Coal Commission is assisting the
Governor in every possible way. In
the meantime, the plans for the dis
tribution of bituminous coal through
out the East are going forward, and
as a matter of insurance and good
Yankee thrift to purchase some BIZ
luminous coal to help out any def
ciencies in anthracite, would seem to
be good wisdom"
From the above, it is apparent that
a purchase of bituminous coal at the
present time Is a good policy.
House holders have been somewhat
reluctant to put in this fuel. They
object to it as being dusty, and like
" to give oc a smoke which pene-
trates all parts of the house, and
makes itself manifest by unsightly
dark stains upon the walls and dra-
peries. This objection can be mini
mized, perhaps entirely overcome,
especially in houses that have hard
wood closely built floors. There are
families who have used soft coal for
years even when other kinds have
been obtainabe. They declare their
preference for 1t on the line of econ
omy, and say that they recommend
wetting this coal down thoroughly,
and wetting it in the bin from time
to time during the winter. If this is
done, there will be. no dust to speak
of. We do not understand that wet
ting has any control over the gas
and smoke, but IL the floors are tight,
very little trouble will be experienced
in that line.
A good grade of soft coal Is obtain
able at $500 or $500 ton below the
price of anthracite.