The sun., 1903-01-20
Tho Ellis FREQ Coal Bill.

Fortunately for this city, the Charter
gave no authority to the Board OF Alder
men to enforce the resolution passed by
them month ago appropriating $500
TO buy coal for the poor. 1t was promptly
filed away by the Board Of Estimate and
Apportionment, but the Ellis bill now b.
foro the Assembly aims at the same re-
suit. It Ia discreditable to tho judgment
of the man who introduced it. no matter
what may have been his motives, and II
should be killed promptly.
A letter signed by the Association for
Improving the Condition Of the Poor,
the United Hebrew Charities, the Stste
Charities Aid Association, the Society
of St. Vincent de Paul and the Charity
Organization Society was sent to the
Speaker Of tho Assembly last week op-
posing this bill. These organizations
say that the demands upon charitable
societies this winter have not increased
above those that are usual at this season
of the year, and thus far they have been
fully met. Such an appropriation for the
distribution Of free coal would not only
be a dangerous precedent, but in imme-
date results it would be even harmful.
The mere fact that the city had gone
into the open market. whore it would
have TO go. to purchase . quarter Of
million dollars worth Of coal in the pres
ent conditions would aend prices kiting.
This in itself would be bad enough. but
the real difficulty would appear with
the time Of distribution. Possibly our
Aldermen would like to have this dis
tribution in their own hands.
1t is a fact that tho people who have
suffered most from the lack of coal during
the past two months in this city have not
been those who are accustomed to buy
their coal by the pail. The very poor,
who could 60 to the various woodyards
and distributing stations and purchase
their coal in small quantities, have been
able to get it at all times, while those
who usually purchase their coal in several
ton lots have at times been unable to
buy it at any price. There 10 no strong
demand for charity coal in New York,
but merely for an opportunity 10 buy coal
at a reasonable price.
Probably not one OF the regularly Or
ganized charities in this city would
attempt the distribution Of such large
quantity Of free coal. nor has the Com
missioner OF Charities any facilities for
distributing 1t. How, then, would tho
Aldermen in favor Of this measure pro-
pose to get this coal into the hands Of the
very poor who cannot afford to buy IL?
II may not be inopportune to recall
the fund OF $40 900 that was raised 60
generously by Tammany Hall in 1899 for
the purpose Of buying coal for the poor.
There was at that time no scarcity Of
coal, but it was alleged that owing to
the severe weather the poor OF the city
were in urgent need Of help in this
particular way. This fund was turned
over to Commissioner KELLER to dis
tribute. It was possible as Late 40 the
following April to buy for a small price
in the lower East Side districts tickets
calling for half ton each Of this charity
coal. Undoubtedly some acute cases
OF want were relieved by this charity,
but the results showed that the situation
had been greatly exaggerated.
At the present time, according to the
various charity organizations, the de-
mands OF the poor are no greater than
usual at this time OF the year. There
is work aplenty for every able-bodied
man in this city. Even II it were possible
to do it properly, this Is no time for
free coal distribution. The Ellis bill
should be squelched in . manner to dis
courage any further reckless charity
legislation OF this kind.