Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-10-11
FUEL BIG PROBLEM
OF GAS COMPANIES
Oil and Coal Each Have Ad-
vantages for Manufacture
ct Product.
BY j. G. ROYIE.

-.
Special Dispatch 10 The Star
NEW YORK. October 1l.--"What
fuel are we going to use?" that is
a burning question with householders
and industrial plants all over the
country today and is also facing the
executives of the manufactured gas
companies of America now gathered
Tor their annual convention at Alta ntic
City.
1t may be surprising that fuel
supplying industry such as the gas
business need concern itself about
ruel FOR its own manufacturing proc
esses. but the problem from the gas
mans viewpoint is even more moment
Gus than that which faces the ordi-
nary fuel consumer. The gas man
must decide between coal and oil.
The gas engineers are worried about
the future supply and cost of oil
1he industry consumes in it's manu-
Iacturlng processes about billion
gallons of gas oil a year.
Oil Supply Is Essential
AS raw material this supply of
oil is absolutely essential for those
companies which must live UP to high.
heating value standards imposed by
the various regulatory bodies. The
already on the statutes and cannot
be changed over night. and as a re-
suit of the report of the Federal
Old Conservation Board the appre.
henslon felt by gas men has notice
ably increased.
NO one can say for certain what
the answer will be. The data which
VIII be addrced at the coming conven-
uon may determine the general atti-
tude, but there are some executives
who are inclined definitely to turn to
coal gas processes, which have been
used since the industry was in it's in.
FANCY, and leave oil to those who are
more optimistic over future supplies.
Oh men, on the other hand point to
the TACT that since the petroleum in
OuStry mad Its modern inception in
1894, development of new fields has
been sufficient and more than suffi-
cient to meet demands despite the
enormous increase in conSIlmption of
fuel oil and gasoline used by steam.
Diesel and automobile engines.
Will Present Statistics.
Alexander Forward, Secretary.inan n
ager of the American Gas Association.
VIII present the statistics gathered nv
the association. They will show that
for the first time in the history O.
the industry the manufacture of SO
called carbureted water gas, made from.
coke, steam and gas oil has shown a
decline, In 1925 the total amount Of
this gas produced was 5000 900, 600
cubic feet under the total of 1924 The
Industry last year cut it's conSump.
ton of oil $4,000 900 gallons under the
figures of the previous year.
Henry T., nnhprt1- Nour
operator of a huge chain Of gas. cleo
trio and oil companies. points to the
reduction as justification of warn
ingS he has issued for the last five
years. The Doherty interests have re.
peatedy stated the industry would
do well TO get back TO coal.
III. C. Abells solution.
Henry c. Abel. vice president Of
the Electric Bond and Share Co,
president Of the association, will ask
the delegates to accept his solution of
the problem. He believes the industry
must rely wholly on coal despite the
fact that in 1910, he says, the United
States will be burning as much coal
as now is consumed by all the coun-
tries of the earth. The solution, he
contends, lies in economical use of coal
and such fteXibility of rates and heat
ing value STANDARDS as TO give the
greatest service in heat for the least
money. He believes the future will
require such f1eXbility as TO permit
manufacturers to deliver gas of such
thermal content as will make for
greatest conservation and predicts an
industry four times the present size
as n result.
Mr.. Doherty predicts that within
20 years burning of coal in the raw
state will be prohibited by law, and
Floyd W. Parsons. fuel engineer. goes
further and says a lump of coal will
he a curiosity To the next generation
outside the fuel bins of utility com
panieS. the mines and museums.
Whatever action the convention
takes, il will be If mOmentous inn
portance to both the gas and coal in
dustries.