The sun., 1917-08-27
SUBWAY TTEUP ONUS
Is SHIFTED TO U. s.
1. r. T. Asserts Government
Communicating Of Coal
Caused Block. .
P. s. c. HEARING TO-DAY
Probe to Find II Company
Kept Fuel Short Await
ing Lower Price.

Frank Hedley, general manager OF
the Interborough asserted yesterday that
conflscation by tho United States Gov
ernment Of whole train loads Of coal
consigned to the Interborough from the
Pennsylvania and West Virginia mines
caused Saturdays paralysis Of trafiic
OH the subways.
Mr.. Hedley complained that the con-
stant diversion Of coal. loaded in cars
starting to New York. by tho Government
for its own use was the direct cause of
Saturdays suspension Of traffic.
The officials of the Interborough, he
said. have been Tending of Just such a
contingency for months. Every day
every executive nerve Of the many de-
partments Of the subway system has
been strained in the anxiety to keep feed
ing 1000 tons OF coal into tho great
furnaces In the power house at West
Fifty-ninth street He said that 1t has
been strenuous task for months and
the complete suspension Of trafric Of Sat.
urday was not a surprise to any one but
the public
Mr.. Hedley did not say what Govern
ment department or head was responsi-
BILE for the continual confiscation Of its
loaded coal cars. nor did he elaborate on
the conditions which forced tho Govern
mont to use its mandatory power to ac-
Quire fuel for It's own use. He made the
statement over the telephone to THE Sun
from Green's Farms. where he was spend.
ing the day with his family. Theodore
=. Shonts. president of the lnterboroush
Is not in town.
Several Explanations Made.
Mr. Hedley's explanation Of the coal
confscation was not included in the
statement he made Saturday afternoon
after the blockade. although he asserted
then that the railroad had been hard
pressed to get coal for the past year
Another official Of the road said then
that the shortage which occasioned the
tieup and spoiled the half holiady for
thousands OF New Workers. was the fault
of the coal companies supplying the In.
terborough These concerns were undei
contract to furnish COAL made some time
ago when the price was considerably
lower. Chafed at the within OF fate
which permitted the Interborough TO be
in SO comfortable a position. they filled
contracts TO all purchasers at tho highe,
prices. letting the Interborough walt un.
Ill the last moment. 1t was said This
official OF the road asserted that as q
result the subway was supplied with
just enough fuel for It's daily needs. &c
TINT tho a
consumed.
Mr., Hedley yesterday confirmed the
part of this statement relating to the
lack OF any reserve. He asserted that
on account OF the coal confiscation by
the Government II had been impossible
to keep the reserve bins in the power
house filled. They can accommodate
10000 tons. He did not say anything
regarding the indifference Of the coal
companies 20 furnish the Interior ough
with its fu!l supply as called for by their
contracts. The concerns which were
supplying the subway. and from which
the Government had ordered the coal
diverted to its own yards and plants
Mr.. Hedley declared. were the Consoli-
dated and the BerwindWhite coal com.
pantes.
Eighteen Of the officials and execu.
tves of the Interborough beginning with
Shonts and Hedley of the administrative
officers and August Belmont and Cor.
nelius Vanderbilt OF the financial forces
have been notified to appear before the
Public Service Commission at 10 o'clock
this morning ana tell what stopped the
subway.
William Haywood acting chairman OF
the commission William l.. Ransom and
Frank n. Robinson. acting secretary
were busy late Saturday night and all OF
yesterday in the commissions offices In
the Equitable Building getting out or.
ders for the subway officials.
Polite letters accompan anied the orders
concluding with This notification OF
time and place OF hearings and its sub
5ect matter Is furthermore given you ir
order to obviate the need Of the servic,
upon you OF formal subpoena to-mor
row morning"
Mystery Surrounds Action.
Although there was every appearance.
Of great activity In the Offices of tn,
Public Service Commission It was ap
parent from the lack Of facts given on
in an official statement that until thu
officials OF the subway take the stant
at to-day's hearing little will be known
Of the real cause OF the coal shortage
There was an inclination toward the be
lief on the part OF Mr. Haywood ant
others of the com ission that the Off
cals Of the subway were to blame 70,
Saturdays tieup. Until more informa
ton develops the facts and places tn,
responsibility in the right place mem
bers Of the commission will feel tina
the Interborough has been pursuing
niggardly and penurious policy with re
IN Iva 1.
action by the commission is promised
and IL clicking Of typewriters is indica
tive Of results there ought to be muci
obtained, judging from the scenes In tn,
commissicns offices yesterday.
1t is the intention OF the comm iss ioi
TO evade the placing Of the blame 70
Saturdays suspension Of traffic on an,
of the shoulders OF the minor employee
of the marlborough. Proof Of this In
tentlon Is given In the list OF names O
the officials who have been ordered I,
attend to-day's hearing Among then
is John +. Berwlnd, vice-president an,
acting head of the Berwind- White Goa
Company. +. J. Berwind. president o
this coal company IL director in tn
Interborough. The other officials sum
moned to appear besides these mentione,
are ]. II. Campbell Thomas Cochran
Thomas De Witt Cuyler, Horace NJ
visher, Alexander II, Hemphili. Au
xustus ID. Juilliard. Charles Il. Ludlow
w. Leon Pepperman. Earl X. Stabbard
Frank D. Sullivan. Daniel G. Reid, Gu
T.. Tripp and D. W. Ross.
Most of the Interborough official
! were notified over the telephone or b.
messenger to be on hand when tn
hearing opens this morning. Those VIII
could not be reached were notified b
mail. John Berwind was notified b
telephone at his home In Bridgehamptor