Data secured from this list are summarized in the table on the previous page according to the type of fuel used, and separately for all plants above 500 horsepower and for those not exceeding 500 horsepower.
It will be observed from this table that about 88 per cent of the total number of installations in this country are operating on anthracite coal (a few using charcoal or coke), and that bituminous coal and lignite are used in the remaining 12 per cent. Of the total horsepower approximately 57 per cent is derived from bituminous coal and lignite and 43 per cent from anthracite coal, charcoal, and coke. In point of size it will be noted that the bituminous plants average 12½ times the size of the anthracite plants.
In 1906 a large number of these plants were carefully inspected in order to secure definite information from the owners and operators regarding the more or less successful operation of such installations. Similar inspections were made in 1908.
Deductions from Visits of Inspection.
The deductions made from the visits in 1906 were as follows:
1. The plants as a whole are giving remarkable satisfaction considering the very brief period of development that has passed since the introduction of this type of power.
2. The most serious difficulty seems to arise from the lack of competent operators to run the plants rather than from defects or troubles in the plants themselves.
3. Incompetent salesmen are undoubtedly to blame for serious misrepresentations and misunderstandings.
4. The neglect shown by some manufacturers in respect to their plants after they are installed and paid for has not been farsighted, and the failure of the manufacturers
to give the purchasers or operators of plants full information regarding their construction and method of operating has certainly been detrimental to the business.