82 Chicago Bureau of Public Efficiency 



tas, they could have secured the same number of heat units as 

 were contained in the 2,920 tons of buckwheat for $10,764.54. 

 By their failure to do so the South Park Board lost approxi- 

 mately $2,000. In explanation of the use of anthracite buck- 

 wheat instead of Pocahontas mine run, the engineer stated that 

 the only reason is that the former makes less smoke. However, 

 as Pocahontas itself is considered a high-grade smokeless coal, 

 and as it has been decided to use it in these small parks during 

 the coming year, the explanation is unsatisfactory. 



An investigation of the physical equipment of the various 

 plants convinces the Bureau that other losses are being incurred 

 by the Park Boards through the use of higher priced coal than is 

 required. We suggest the following substitutions : 



That the South Park Board substitute Pocahontas mine run 

 for anthracite range at McKinley Park, and Illinois or Indiana 

 lump for anthracite buckwheat and Pocahontas mine run and 

 lump at the remaining small parks which have heating plants. 



That the West Park Board substitute Pocahontas mine run 

 for anthracite range at Union, Douglas and Garfield Parks. 



That the Lincoln Park Board substitute Illinois or Indiana 

 lump for Pocahontas mine run at Lincoln Park for heating the 

 propagating houses, and at the shipyard for the use of the der- 

 ricks, pile drivers, sand pump and scow; and Pocahontas mine 

 run for anthracite egg at the hot-water heating plants in Seward, 

 Stanton and Hamlin Parks. 



If the above suggestions had been in effect, the approximate 

 saving to each Board on last year's contracts (as is shown in 

 Table B of the Appendix) would have been as follows : 



South Park $6,200 



West Park 700 



Lincoln Park 1.500 



Total $8,400 



In order that the South Park Board may burn the Illinois or 

 Indiana coal without making an objectionable amount of smoke, 

 it will be necessary to change the furnace settings at all of the 

 small parks, with the exception of Marquette, so as to furnish 



