Evening star., 1925-11-17
BACKGROUND OF EVENTS
BY PAUL Y. COLLINS.

The age of the earth is estimated at
history declares that coal has been
known as a fuel only since about 25S
AID. All the rest Of the time the
earth received its daily. modicum of
heat from other sources than COAL
certainly from other fuels than an
thracite. Coal having contributed
warmth only 1900 years, it had a
Substitute" million times as long as
itself has been known. Why. then, is
it so indispensable today? Habit! Man
is a creature of habit-a veritable
slave of habit.
the United States would find it difficult
to warm their homes If they had no
other fuel than anthracite. 1t is the
most difficult Of all Goals to ignite.
Millions of Americans have never seen
anthracite. If they use coal at all 1t
is bituminous. This may be due to
prejudice in favor of n quick flame, a
strong heat, cheerful blaze.
Deadly gas is sometimes given off
from anthracite. This gas, carbon
monoxide, cannot be detected by smell,
sight or any other human sense yet
it poisons it's victims suddenly and
fatally. 1t is the same gas that is
given off from burning gasoline in an
automobile. If the automobile engine
runs in a closed garage, where this
poison gas cannot escape, the oper-
ator will suddenly topple over, uncon-
scious if not dead, without the slight
est warning.
There is a gas given off from burn
ing volatile bituminouS coal, also, but
it is entirely different; it has a strong
odor, and is quickly detected. AS 1t
Is not so poisonous, much more is
required before the victim Suffocates.
If then the victim, although uncon-
scious, is given an abundance OF fresh
air, or Of oxygen, he soon revives.
There appears reason, therefore, ac-
cording to the chemists, in the preju-
dice against the more deadly anthra'
cite on the part Of persons unfamiliar
with the necessary safeguards Whlle
trusting to 1t to warm their homes.
Yet when one has long used anthra-
cite he ceases to fear It,
In much the same way charcoal IL
used for cooking in tropical countries.
Charcoal is known to be deadly in It's
chemical effects similar to anthracite.
1t will kill a person very quickly II
burned so that it's fumes cannot es-
cape and be replaced with fresh air.
Besides, it is almost impossible for an
inexperienced person to ignite pot OF
charcoal, but native Mexican burns
it as easily as a skilled householder
of Washington ignites anthracite.
It all depends on ones hablts-
prejudices. The locomotive engineer
does not, save In a few rare cases,
burn anthracite; he needs heat, and
plenty of it, for making steam. he
prefers bituminous coal, not only for
its higher calorif1c power, but for ita
greater adaptability to quick handling.
The same is true of great stationary
steam plants.
Bituminous coal may give off
smoke, but only in case it is used un-
skillfully. 1t ignites so readily that
If it Is thrown on to fire in huge
shovelfuls, the coal dust instantly
heats and puffs out of the furnace in a
great belching black smudge, or may
choke the chimney and call for the
smoke inspectors wrath.
No locomotive fireman throws mass
of dry coal on to the fire, for he knows
that it would Immediately explode
into his face. He vets the coal and
then spreads on thin layer, gradu.
ally. The wet coal burns slowly and
hotly. Every coal dealer is prepared
not only to supply customers with
printed instructions, but also to follow