8 OPERATIONS OF FUEL-TESTING PLANT IN 1905. 
The names of the experts and assistants employed in connection with the several divi- 
sions of the testing work are presented in subjoined reports covering these tests. The fol- 
lowing is a list of those in charge of the several divisions and the assistants having special 
assignments: 
J. A. Holmes, fuel expert in charge. 
N. W. Lord (University of Ohio, Columbus), in charge of chemical work. 
L. P. Breckenridge (University of Illinois, Urbana), engineer in charge of steaming tests. 
R. H. Fernald (Washington University, St. Louis), engineer in charge of producer-gas 
tests. 
C. T. Malcomson, mechanical engineer, in charge of general work at the plant. 
A. W. Belden, in charge of coking tests. 
W. T. Ray, assistant engineer, in charge of steaming tests. 
John D. Wick, in charge of washing tests. 
John A. Laird, assistant engineer, operating gas producers. 
J. P. Quam, engineer, in charge of gas engine. 
E. E. Somermeier, chemist, in charge of laboratory. 
F. M. Stanton, head chemist. 
Joseph Underwood, electrician. 
The collection of the samples of coal has been under the supervision of Mr. E. W. Parker, 
of the Geological Survey. The work of collecting the samples has been done mainly and 
most efficiently by Messrs. J. S. Burrows, chief inspector; and J. W. Groves and W. J. 
Von Borries, inspectors. The methods followed in the collection and shipment of these 
samples are fully described elsewhere (pp. 17-18). 
NATURE AM) i:;;sULTS OF THE INVESTIGATIONS. 
The principal branches of the w T ork carried on include (1) taking samples of coal of vari^ 
ous mines by inspectors employed by the Geological Survey for this purpose; (2) making 
proximate and ultimate chemical analyses of these samples; (3) washing tests, to deter- 
mine the possibility of improving the quality of the coal shipped by carloads from mines 
inspected; (4) coking tests, to determine the possibility of making coke or of improving 
the coking practice with a view to betterment in the quality of the coke made from these 
coals; (5) gas-producer tests, to determine the efficiency with which each coal can be used 
in this manner for power production; (6) steaming tests, to determine the fuel value of 
such coal in the ordinary steam boilers; (7) and briquetting tests, to determine the extent 
to which the fines or slack coals can bo economically made into briquettes. 
The results of these investigations will be discussed more at length in the later and more 
complete report. For the purposes of this preliminary report the following brief state- 
ment will suffice: 
The carefully made analyses of these representative coals and lignites are giving to the 
engineers of the country data of great value, not only because this work is done with care, 
but also because the complete history of every such sample is indicated and the record is 
authentic and reliable. Up to December 31, 1905, more than 1,600 such chemical analy- 
ses have been made, involving more than 7,000 chemical determinations. 
The following tests have also been made : 
In the gas producer and gas engine, 85 tests, each extending over two or three days, of 
coals, lignites, and peats from 18 States. 
In the steam boilers, 283 tests, each of from nine to eleven hours' duration, of 170 different 
coals from 18 States. 
In the coke ovens, 110 tests, each of forty-eight to seventy-two hours' duration, of 95 
coals from 16 States. Of these coals a large portion have heretofore been considered as 
noncoking coals. 
In the washery plant it has been shown how the quality of 43 coals from 13 States and 
several samples of coke breeze could be improved by washing, at a nominal cost of from 
3 to 10 cents per ton. 
