Smoke from Steamer Funnels—and Why. T HE CONTROL OF COAL distribution
Page 1
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
throughout the country and the limitations which have been placed upon coal users, compelling them to purchase and use coal produced locally or within a closely adjacent area, has been justified by events, for the quantity of coal transpoited about the country, has been enormously reduced, resulting in a commensurate reduction of the strain imposed by coal traffic on the railWays and, incidentally, releasing a large number of railway wagons for service on the railways behind the lines on the western front. But, where there has been communal gain, there has been individual disadvantage. Steam wagon owners in the southern areas (south of the line drawn from Aberdovey on the West Coast, through Worcester, Oxford -and Chelmsford to the East Coast) have been able, whoa they could get it, to use anthracite and smokeless steam coal from the Smith Wales coalfields. But, north of that arbitrary line, steam wagon owners have had to be content to use the softer coals from the Lancashire and Yorkshire coal measures, with the result that there has been much tribulation and gnashing of teeth, considerable caking on the firebars, numerous complaints from the public and local authorities about the smoke emitted from furnace funnels, and innumerable summonses from the police—particularly, as would be expected, from the police of ,St. Helens; Lancs. And why St. Helens should be so particular about its atmosphere that it should so dislike to observe smoke being emitted from a steam vehicle passes all comprehension. What must be understood by thepolice of St. Helens and other districts where this .persecution is persiSted in (even if there is no place so bad as St. -Helens in this respect) is that it will be impossible to carry on transport if time is going to be wasted, tempers spoiled, and money frittered away in these aimless prosecutions. In the circumstances brought about by the need for smashing the Germans and the, desire—not an unnatural one, let it be observed—to put so much weight in the field that an early and victorious termination is made of hostilities, smoke from steamer funnels is not entirely going to be prevented. .Users, wayside observers and police must reconcile themselves to that fact, and we do impress upon the bwo latter classes that the first-named--the user— detires more than either of them that smoke shall not be emitted, for the presence of smoke indicates the existence of other troubles attaching to furnace control and management of which he would rather be relieved.
There is another phase of .this Matter to which we shall return at an early date.