90 COMMISSION OF CONSERVATION 



Oil 



344.17 barrels, at 90c $314.25 



6 firemen 11.10 



Food for 6 men 2.53 



Total $327.87 



Oil Fuel for Donkey Engines 



Although no specific statistics have been collected in this con- 

 nection, it is known that oU is in use to a very considerable extent 

 as fuel for donkey engines used in logging operations in the Western 

 United States and Canada. The primary object in such cases has, 

 as a rule, been the endeavour to reduce the fire danger during the 

 dry season. It was soon found, however, that, in addition to great 

 efficiency in this direction, the use of oil fuel resulted in many cases 

 in a material Saving of fuel cost, and in an increased output of logs 

 with less labour. One large logging company claims that by the use 

 of oil during the season of 191 2, its log output was increased at least 

 twenty per cent, from the same number of donkeys and men. Two of 

 the factors in bringing about this result were increased steaming capac- 

 ity of the boilers, and the greater convenience and saving of time due 

 to the abolition of the wood yard. To offset the initial cost of oil 

 installation in donkey engines, is the saving of the cost of the expensive 

 spark arresters necessary when wood is used. 



Oil as Locomotive Fuel 



The use of oil as locomotive fuel is in general an economic question. 

 Railways must, as a rule, use the cheapest available source of power in 

 moving their trains. The answer to the question is in each case de- 

 pendent upon the cost and availability of oil fuel in comparison with coal 

 or electricity. 



Practically the only exceptions to this are cases where some govern- 

 mental authority has required the use of oil fuel as a fire preventive 

 measure. An example of this is the order of the Public Service Commis- 

 sion of the State of New York, requiring the use of oil fuel on railroads 

 through the Adirondack Forest Preserve, even though this requirement 

 imdoubtedly imposed an additional burden of cost upon the railways, 

 owing to relatively low cost of coal and high cost of oil at points of use. 

 In a number of cases also, railroads have been required by the U. S. 

 Government to use oil fuel, as a condition to the granting of permission 

 for the construction or maintenance of railway lines through National 

 Forests or National Parks. 



It is also undoubtedly true, that, in some cases, logging railways 

 have adopted oil fuel in order to minimize fire danger, even where coal 



