Jasper County Democrat, Volume 20, Number 50, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 September 1917 — COAL SAVING SUGGESTIONS [ARTICLE]

COAL SAVING SUGGESTIONS

Among other elements in the coal situation not to be overlooked is the advice of the federal fuel administrator, Dr. H. A—-Garfield, to the consumer. Burn less coal is the burden of this counsel. “It is the duty of every American,” he says, “to save coal this winter. If every family will save a ton of coal, if every industrial plant will save 10. per cent, of the coal -it uses, which 10 per cejnt. it ho 'v wastes, the coal problem will be largely solved.” No doubt there is -much truth in What Dr. Garfield says. A good many of us, however, who operate no larger plants than our own family furnaces and baseburners, are wondering what we can do to effect a saving in our fuel consumption. ‘lf every family will reduce the temperature of its house at least five degrees it will mean that millatms of tons of coal will be saved and the health of the nation will be improved. This is not a hardship; it |is a health measure, for most Americans live ip superheated houses. The coal supply can be conserved by more econamr ical methods of firing, by sifting ashes, by watching the furnace door, and by heating only the parts of the house in use. To do this is a public duty. Jf the householders of the country sgve one ton out of twelve they will save 10,000,000 tons of coal.” The suggestions are timely. They might have Included, too, a recommendation to put the heating plants in order before the advent of cold weather. Soot should be removed, I flues, if necessary, should be re-

paired—all with the idea of making, a ton of coal go further than it ever went before— It will not be easy for some of us to practice the rigid economy that Dr. Garfield advocates. If we have not been extravagant in the use of coal, we have at least been careless. Not a few of us, doubtless, can think of simple ways whereby fuel consumption can be reduced. “The solution of the coal, problem lies largely with the American people,” says the fuel administrator. “The government can not save coal for them; they must save it for themselves.’’ This brings the problem home to each of Us, lays it at the door of furnace or stove. It would be to the advantage of every one if we used brains as well as muscle in shoveling coal on the fire this winter. For the duty it is depended upon to perform, nothing about the average household is as much neglected, perhaps, as the furnace. Cleaning and repairing will go far toward effecting the saving that is necessary.