Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-12-26
COAL BILL APPEAL TO PRESIDENT
OVER LEWIS'S HEAD THREATENED

different sections Of the larger cities.
particularly In the congested residence
districts. at which housewives would he
shown how to use fuel with the greatest
economy
The department will provide u stan
of 40 experts TO give lectures In all
languages Among those who spoke at
this afternoons meeting were u. f.
Johns, e. u. Hackett and W. A. Bland.
H. D. Kellogg presided
Cardinal Gibbons, II was announced
today by the offices OF William Potter.
fuel administrator for Pennsylvania has
given his approval to a suggestion made
to him by Mr.. Potter that the men en-
ployed In the anthracite coal regions Of
this state should work on church holy
days and holidays In order to increase
the coal output and relieve the fuel sit
uation here. Mr. Potter recently wrote
to Cardinal Gibbons. at Baltimore. offer
ing the suggestion and asking the Car
dinals opinion Of II. In sending his
approval to Dr Harry A. GARFIELD. ma
tional fuel administrator. Cardinal Glib
bons added the suggestion that all
FALCONS In the anthracite regions be
urged to shut down between y. IN. and
n. m. daily.
Philadelphia business men. $4,000 os
them will meet week from tonight
10 protest against lle proposed increase
In the price Of coal.
The action of the PHILADELPHIA fuel
administrator In sanctioning the fifty
cent Increase per ton without offering
a full and detailed eNplanati tion to the
public. has caused the United Business
Mems Association TO take this step. ac.
cording to Edward A. Noppel, presi-
dent Of the association.
Mr.. Lewis yesterday reiterated his de-
! cision that he will not appear at any
meeting and that he will make no cxpla-
nations.
81 have nothing TO say" said Mr.
Lewis. with the exception OF rcpeat-
ing the statement that | shall not appear
before any public meeting and make
any explanations of how my Office is
run. am doing everything within
my power to bring coal to Philadelphia
and see that It is properly distributed
That's all can do. Mr.. Potter IL doing
the same thing. That Is our one OBJ
iect in life now. We are both neglect
ing everything else for the coal con.
sumers What more can We do
we should have preferred first TO
wait upon the fuel committee as repre-
sentative business men and consider our
differences of opinion before holding any
meeting TO protest against the late ac-
ton" said President Noppel But the
fllel tnHlTllldl : Hlliluut - Nutl tS NOT
to invite an audience il Is repellent
20 any sort of conference. our only re.
course seems to he TO get our facts in
hand and then appeal to the public and
the Federal Administration
I'VE have the promise OF the support
e. and advice Of several legal and tech
- ncal men who have made special
{ STUDY of the local coal situation. And
our action will he based upon facts and
7 figures made known to the public, Ex-
| perts working with us are convinced
! that $3.50 margin cannot be justified
s I am not a coal expert but OF this !
am sure. II the public Is 10 be further
? mulcted IL is entitled to have a hearing
, TO knew the reason why"
81 am willing to give twenty.four hours
- day to see this thing through" said
Edwin ", Abbott. representing the lega
end Of the Business Mems Association
{ II have talked the matter over viii
Harrison :. Morris. who had asked me
= whether ! would represent the people II
this protest came TO an issue with the
= fuel administration. I am ready and
! consider II "A patriotic service"