The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-10-08
J, s Attorney VIII Investigate Working of the Alleged
 Goal Trust
DECLINES ID DISCUSS II
Alderman Mccall of New York Says If Strike Is Not Settled Before Cold Weather Schools
 Will Close.

New York. October Tt was learned today that United States District Attor- ney Burnett bad been instructed by the attorney general in Washington to in- vtstigate the working of the coal trust in his district, that of the southern half of New York state. Gen. Burnett decIIn- ed however, to state the nature of the investigation to be made by him, or when it would be commenced. Further than to state that such an investigation had been ordered he would not talk
 The board of aldermen of New York, in special session. adopted a resolution urg- ing Governor Stone to call an extra ses- sion of the legislature of Pennsylvania to consider measures to ensure the imme- diate and full operation of the coal mines. A resolution was also adopted calling up- on the mayor of New York to take steps to adopt prompt measures to ale eviate all hardships to the poor of the city result ing from the scarcity of coal. Alderman Mccall said
 May Close Schools.
 q hereby give notice that if the coal strike is not settled before the cold weather comes shall offer a resolution that the public schools be closed. I am informed that the board of education spends annually from ss.OOO,Ooo to 5,Ooo- 900 for coal. If the very grave situation that now appears inevitable shall develop l shall ask this body to request the board of education to close the public schools and to distribute that coal among the worthy poor of the city" l Bids were to have opened by Commits sioner Hawkes. of the dock department for two thousand tons of anthracite coal today, but no bids were received.
 For ten days the fire department has been advertising in the city Record for l bids for 800 tons of anthracite coal The bids were to have been opened this morning, but not single bid was heard from.
 None of the coal operators present at the meeting of the Temple Iron com pany today would make any statement regarding what was done at the meet ing.
 6aer Was Present.
 Those present at the meeting were President c. F. Baer of Philadelphia and Reading R. T. Fowler of the New York Ontario and Western, President R. M. Oliphant of the Delaware and Hudson company President w. H. Truesdale of the Lackawanna, President Alfred Wal ter of the Lehigh Valley President Un- derwood of the Erie and l. A. Stearns of Coxe Bros. 6 Go. John Markle was said to be in the anthracite fields where he had gone to try to run one of his col leries.
 After the meeting President Truesdale announced that no statement would be given out President Oliphant would only say that he knew of no change in the general situation. President Baer went from the conference to J. P. Nor gans office and later took a train for Philadelphia
 President Fowler said that 2200 tons of anthracite of domestic sizes were shipped east over the New York, Ontario and Western railroad Monday
 A prominent wholesale and retail dealer said today that the presidents of the coal roads have promised to relieve the sit- uation by rushing coal here. Next week, he said, there would be sufficient soft coal here to supply the needs. and there would be no necessity for any of the big steam plants to shut down for want of coal.
 Domestic sizes of anthracite were sell ing at $25 a ton retail today. Soft coal, wholesaling at $s75 a ton, was selling at S10 to family and at s9 to steam trade.