New Britain herald., 1917-10-20
COAL BOARDING
 NOW UNDER BAN
Garfield May Order Search Of
 Coal Bins in Factories

Washington, Oct. 2O.--In connec- ton with statement issued yester- day, in winch he said that the coal sit uation throughout the country was improving, Dr. H. A. Garfield, the fuel administrator, let it be known that drastic action will be taken against hoarders of supplies. Dr. Gar field said that he had conferred with. Attorney General Gregory regarding his powers under the Food Control law, and the action which he was authorized to take in any emergency. He would not discuss that phase of the matter in detail, but it is said that he was told his powers were adequate and unquestioned.
 The situation in New York City. where a shortage has been reported, may be one of the first taken in hand. Dr. Garfield said today that New York had received 13,912,384 tons of coal this year, as compared to 12,666,650 in 1916, and that if any one was hoarding coal there he was deter mined to find out about it and distri- bute the surplus among needy con- sumers.
 This means that the fuel adminis- tration may search the storage bins of apartment houses, light, power. and manufacturing plants in the me- l tropolitan field. Large dealers also 1 may come under the inspection, if l there is any reason to believe that l hoarding is going on. If 100000 tons or more of surplus coal Is hid den in New York or in any other great center of population there is | every likelihood that the government will seize 1t should conditions warrant. Conservation also may be ordered in New York and other cities. al- though there has been no ruling as yet as to the fate of the great electric light signs that have made the White Way" famous. It is possible that ] these may be ordered discontinued for a time, but the advisability of ] such a course Is still debatable. In discussing the coal situation to- day Dr. Garfield referred to it as ''un- balanced" rather than critical. Pro- duction has not fallen off to an ex- tent thought alarming and the tndl- cations seemed to point to an in- crease from this time rather than a decrease. His statement reads:
 "Ofacers of the United Mine Work CTS in Indiana. Illinois and elsewhere are doing everything in their power to induce men who are striking to re- turn to work. and indications are that they will be successful"
 Complaints that there was serious shortage in several large cities, New York included, were heard at the of fees of the Fuel Administration to- day. Dr. Garfield stated that conl- plaints about a shortage in New York City should be made to Albert H. 1 wY1rin the State Fuel Administrators and that in all legitimate cases in- mediate relief would be given.
 To facilitate the movement of coal for emergency orders, pr. Garfield dt- rested that mines supplying the Ba1ti rssRe & Ohio railroad see to 1t that uSs1~cient supply was provided to pre- effeo. m connection with the Pennsyl- vsllia fines and other roads will soon be considered.
 Dr. Garfield spent practically all of his time today considering the ques- ton of granting an increase over the schedule of President Wilson for coal at the mines, in order to make pos sible the payment of higher wages to t&e miners. His decision will be reached not later than the first of next l week.
 The Shipping Board has joined with the Fuel Administration in an effort to relieve the conditions in the New England States. It issued an order to owners of steamers requisitioned by the board and operated in the New England coal trade, which it was said would radically reduce as we'll as con- trol rates and facilitate deliveries.