TIDE DOMESTIC SMOKE PROBLEM
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] Sin,—I am glad that Dr. Osborn has called attention to the use of gas-coke from vertical retorts for domestic heating. I have used- it for many years in a range for cooking and hot water supply and have more recently introduced it into the living room ; so that, apart from that produced from the small quantity of coal used for starting the coke fire, no smoke issues from my chimneys. But it may be well to point out that it is not every kind of coke that, burns well, nor every fire-place that is adapted for its efficient combustion. The coke should be preferably from vertical retorts, for it is then practically free from moisture ; it should be in coarse lumps, so as to allow of the free access of air and the grate should be of the "well."_ type, a fairly. capacious hearth lined with stout (i.e. non-conducting) fire brick at the back and sides, so as to concentrate the heat within the fuel and the back should slope forwards, thereby reflecting some of the heat downwards on the surface of the mass. A grate of this type could probably be made as cheaply as the old and inefficient cast iron structure.
It is curious how much prejudice obtains against coke as a domestic fuel. When advocating its use, I constantly hear the statement, " But coke gives off unpleasant sulphurous fumes." Of course it gives off sulphurous fumes, and if it
were burnt in the open room, coal would be even more unpleasant. With a good draught there is no smell and the ventilation by way of the chimney is quite as effective as with a coal fire.
Two things are required to abolish smoke from domestic chimneys ; first the education of the citizen in the use of coke and secondly a cheap and plentiful supply of clean gas- coke (containing not more than 8 per cent. of ash) by the gas companies. It is unfortunate that these public services are not regarded by their managers in that light, but as sources of profit like any ordinary business, and it has happened in certain towns that the coke when commanding a higher price elsewhere has been diverted so that the locality has actually suffered from a coke famine. Whilst efforts are made by the gas companies to sell gas by advertisements and well equipped show moms, there is no corresponding interest in the disposal of their coke to the local consumer.
If these companies would lay themselves out to exhibit coke-boilers, stoves, ranges, &c., and show them working and supply information as to cost of installation and efficiency, they would gradually induce at least the more intelligent citizens to adopt them and abolish this ever present nuisance. It is a practical solution of the problem and the thing could
be done.—I am, Sir, &c., J. B. COHEN. 1 North Grange Mount, Headingley, Leeds.
Mrs. Langmaid, of Cardiff, writes : "That coal smoke is not' the only cause of the' actual filth that makes its way into our houses I can prove by the fact that every year it increases in thickness and blackness in spite of the more general use of gas, coke and electricity for domestic purposes. In no other way can I account for it than by the increased amount of motor traffic. The dust from the roads, which used to be white or grey, is now as black as black-lead, and our curtains and clothes have to be more frequently cleansed than ever. Not only must we reduce smoke as much as possible, but we shall have to find some substance for our roads—not so black—which will minimize the amount of greasy particles covering our houses, and thickly coating our fruit and vege- tables."
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