Oil vs. Coal

The continual troubles in the coal industry during the past few years have led many real estate owners to experiment with fuel oil instead. The recent clash of the coal operators and miners, along with the current cheapness cf crude oil following over-productioin last Spring, has given considerable momentum to the tendency to install oil-burning equipment in office buildings in New York and other large cities. A manufacturer of oil-burning appliances has reported an increase in his sales in

New York of 500% over last year.

Despite the strict city regulations regarding the storing of oil, as well as the initial equipment cost, fuel oil gives a more even temperature, is cheaper to handle, saves expense and trouble with ashes.

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Manhattan, which became a convert to fuel oil, has stated that the saving gained thereby is estimated at $25,490 during the first six months. On the average 130 to 140 gallons of oil are equivalent to a ton of coal.

New York buildings which now use or have contracted to use oil-burners include the Equitable Building, Metropolitan Life Insurance Building, R. H. Macy & Co., Columbia University, John Wanamaker, Saks & Co., The New York Times Annex, Pershing Square Building, Hotel Claridge, Mount Sinai Hospital, Knickerbocker Building, Excelsior Savings Bank and a number of large apartment houses on Park Avenue and Riverside Drive.