12 NOVEMBER 1921, Page 14

COKE AND ITS BY-PRODUCTS.

[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR.") Sta,—You have an article in your last issue on "Work for the Unemployed " which concludes with a rhapsody on coke. What the connexion between the two is I cannot conceive. The coke you yearn for is that low temperature super-coke, familiar to the company promoter and accompanied by -the usual large amount of benzol, alcohol, motor spirit, super-gas, &c. May I, as a colliery and coke-oven owner, who has spent seals thousands of pounds (and will probably spend more) in low temperature carbonization processes, ask you one or two ques- tions? Why should an owner of coal mines or one engaged in the "old coke industry" (presumably the manufacture of metallurgical coke) object to the production of low temperature coke? What authority . have you for suggesting that low temperature carbonization will produce from coal any appre- ciablenmount of benzol or alcohol, or will produce a coke lower in ash than any other class of coke? How is the process.going to reduce unemployment? -In conclusion, I suggest -that, pend- ing the day when the new coke can actually .be made by the "simple and easy" process you refer to, and at a profit, those who want a smokeless fuel can use gas.—I am, Sir, &c.,

MANAGING DIRECTOR.