New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-15
Settlement Workers Esti-
mate 100000 Families
Are in Need of Fuel
Snow Holds 10000
Tons in Jersey
Railroads Not to Blame,
Says Garfield; Equip
ment Lacking

Tho coal shortage in New York to-
s.~i is more serious than at any other
erc since the coal famine began 20
threaten.
gs,f The coal yards Of the greater
,;,v are empty. The reserve supply in
.ss other half is so low that it can meet
,,,y fraction Of The emergency de-
..,ss Thirty thousand tons destined
~ New York we're reported to be in
,,lrosd cars az tidewater points IN
vew Jersey. This is less than two
6,ys' norma, supply, but owing to the
now the greatest difficulty may be en-
courtered r getting 10 20 consumers IN
II was estimated by coal merchants
and Settlement workers that there were
snproximate.v 300. 900 families IN the
eIty short Of coal
National Fue. Administrator Garfield,
g, an address before the Academy Of
political Science In Carnegie Hall last
night. admitted that the recent storm
tad found the fuel administration still
h process Of organization. lie said he
was not irving 70 shift the responsible
i.v 10 ANYBODY. but that the coal short
see va, due mainly 20 transportation
difficulties and the coal boarding and
private individuals.
Doesn't Blame Railroads
He did not blame the railroads. al
Il rr. ~ ~ os1rh he
business Of the country in time Of war,
but observed that this country had sent
70 France and Russia q great dea! OF
railroad equipment.
In the mean time. DR.. Garfield stated,
there were vast fuel boards in the coun-
try awaiting transportation. lie de-
dared that az sCme points there We're
stored Us high rs 10000 tons. lie said
me country had produced 502,50O.OOO
tons IN lqI6 and 552.OO0.000 this year.
But the increase iu production IS
Just enough 90 care FOR the normal IN
crease ia demand said DR.. Garfield,
'aal not eLoJs. 10 care f0r The eNtr.
war demand. We should have 50,0OO.OOO
tons more. We cannot produce this.
but We can save IL. The fuel admins
,ration has several fuel experts at work
deNsing means for saving coal in every
Industry. from the kitchen stove 20 the
boiler room
Practically all the coal that has
reached -dewater during the last two
tsys passed through enough rain and
snow slush 20 wet it thoroughly. The
coal then froze, necessitatIng extra
labor in transportation.
The railroad companies appealed 20
Reeve Schiey. Fue! Administrator for
Manhattan. 20 furnish men TO work
With picks and shOvels 70 unload the
coal Mr Sch,ey appealed 10 the mu-
liclpal and state employment bureaus
and caryassed the municipal lodging
houses. bat no workmen could be found.
Las, night railroad officials said II
would bc necessary 20 steam the coal
before % could be moved.
further obstacle in distributing
what little coal there was available
Was presented In the condition Of the
streets after the billiards. The streets
were BOZ such bad shape yesterday that
motor and horse trucks were greatly
retarded. Nr Schley said that 10000
IONS came INTO the city during the day
ald were delivered where most needed.
De advised the public 90 use the great
20 economy and 90 exercise patience
FOR % Few days. az there was a great
aeai az coal on the way 20 New orh
liif from the mines, which would ar
i've here soon.
Nr Schiey said that the schools OF
he city had enough fuel for the pres
ent and that none Of the hospitals
was short This latter assertion was
denied az the office Of Burns Bros,
where 10 was announced that 30 Of the
y tons remaining In the Burns yard.
al Ninety Street, had been sent
70 ST. Luse's Hospital in response to
an emergency call
Many Complaints Received
More than 600 complaints we're re-
,e.ved in the Office Of the County Fuel
Administrator during the day. Mr..
Sehley sand that be did not have an
oice force large enough TO receive and
attend 10 the complaints. lie said he
vas invest eating all reports of over
charging. and the worst complaints OF
ms sort charged cellar dealer with
selling coal az the rate Of $3.50 per
ton
Alber. II. Wiggin, State Fuel Admin
nirator, said the elements were against
the fuel administration, but that pro-
aucers and dealers were doing every
n.ng in their power 20 relieve the
shortage here.
Joseph A. Hall. deputy fuel admin
is'iator for The Bronx. said there were
only 2,300 tons Of coal in The Bronx
Yesterday. There were only 1913 tons
On Wednesday Queens was reported
30 be running short
Allan Robinson, president Of the City
and Suburban Homes Company, assert
ea that coal shortage had necessitated
slutslng on the steam in Two East side
MODEL tenement blocks housing more
Wah 5000 persons. The tenants re-
SseNe an allowance OF 10 cents per day
'or The use Of gas heat.
ChIneea T~oone