New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-13
State Fuel Administrator
Says Abnormal Demand
Will Cause Distress
Supply on Way
To Aid New York
Weekly Shipments Arrang-
ed by Government for
Greater City

II you are houSehoIueI anu SN
coal bins are not full, do not rush into
the market and try to fill them over
night. If you do you may create
serious shortage Of domestic size coal
in New York City, and thus injure not
only yourself but others.
This was the gist of an announce
ment made yesterday by Albert II.
Wiggin, named recently as State Fuel
Administrator. II was his first formal
statement since he assumed his post
and was based on a survey OF condi-
tions throughout greater New York
made under the direction Of Reeve
Schley, County Fuel Administrator.
What the administrators, state and
county, want to prevent more than
ANYTHING else is an abnormally created
demand for coal. If their preliminary
findings are correct, no one Will suHtr
provided the public doesn't lose us
head. Mr.. Virgins statement SAID;
From such investigation as TINS
Office has been able to make IN tne
short time since its organization, II
AODeHTS the supply VI wa ~ W.
of the public is almost as great as the
SUNNY on hand at this time last year.
The supply in the hands OF the dealers
Is less than usual, and TINS shortage
will probably continue until december
l. Consumers should, therefore con-
fine their demands to present needs
and these present needs VIII undouDt-
eddy be met.
Fuel Short in November
"There is always shortage Of sup
plv of coal in the hands Of the dealers
in this city during the month OF No
vember on account Of the large snip
ments Of coal TO the Northwest, when
always takes place at this time OF me
wear. These shipments will cease after
The close of navigation, about Deem
Der /, and the normal supply VIII then
be diverted to this market.
ARRANGEMENTS have been made by
the state fuel administration, with the
cooperation of the United States fuel
administration, whereby a special sup
plv of coal will be shipped weekly TO
this city 10 fill this particular demand.
This coal will be devoted exclusively to
the needs of those who buy in small
quantities, and will be distributed
through the ordinary channels of the
cellar trade"
The foregoing was received in the
coal trade as a fair Interpretation OF
conditions in and around New YORK.
But that DIR. Garfield, the Federal Fuel
Administrator, and his assistants have
a tremendous national problem on their
hands for solution this winter is fore
cast BY "The Black Diamond" one of
the leading coal trade journals in the
country, in an editorial in its current
issue. Under the caption General Re-
view" "The Black Diamond" says:
"The national coal situation is so
hopelessly confused that it is almost
impossible to make any orderly state
ment which will describe il. The nor
nal methods Of distribution have been
disturbed By new demands in new
districts, by priority orders and by
railroad embargoes, and all normal
bases by which supply and demand can
be measured against each other are de-
stroyed. The result is an effect SINH
lar TO what would happen if strong
wind would blow into box of feathers.
Suspect Artificial Demand
'For instance, the East, which for
rnerly was taken care Of comfortably
by a part of the output Of Eastern
mines Is now willing TO take all of IL
and is crying for more. At the same
time no one knows whether this is a
real demand or a boarding demand or
what percentage Of il is to satisfy es-
sentiai requirements. Nevertheless the
demand exists. Into that situation for
eign orders are inserting themselves,
Italy demanding 100000 tons Of coal
instantly and being satisfied, while
other countries are wanting TO buy coal
and must be supplied.
Meanwhile the Western markets,
deprived Of Eastern coal. are applying
frs. 10 nearby Western mines and then
are going further and further afeld IN
search for coal In addition, the car
situation il getting worse.
"On this account it Is impossible
properly 20 characterize the national
market unless il is said 20 be ruled
by a certain kind Of chaos