Persons who have been laying in their supply of coal for the
winter months may have noticed that many of the lumps were
coated with whitewash, and they doubtless wondered what was the
reason for the unique decoration. Altho the white color may be
considered to have improved the appearance of the ordinary black
coal, that was not the object in view.
For many years the railroads have been annoyed by coal thieves
and thousands of tons of fuel were stolen annually. As the great
carloads, containing forty tons each, are being carried from the
mines, it is very easy for unscrupulous persons to remove a ton
or two from a car without causing any noticeable change in the
appearance of the load. Only when the car is again put on the
scales is the loss detected, and then it is too late to trace
the guilty parties.
To check these depredations the railroad men have adopted the
whitewash method of safeguarding their freight. After a car has
been loaded a solution of lime and water is sprayed over the
coal, and when the water has evaporated a white coating of lime
remains on the top layer of lumps. Then, if any of the coal is
removed, a black patch will be left upon the white surface to
attract the attention of inspectors and station agents before
the train has gone many miles from the scene of the theft, and
thus the offender is easily traced.--_Harper’s Weekly._
(3217)