New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-28
P. S. c. Learns Road
Lacked Large Reserve
for Eight Months
Ross Shoulders
All the Blame
marlborough Agent Says
Aid Miscalculated Sup
ply on Hand

Although all other public utilities
corporations have been able to secure
all the coal needed for their operation
the Interborough for the last eight or
ten months has never had any large
reserve supply of coal.
This fact was established yesterday
afternoon at the investigation OF SAT-
urday's great tie-up by the Public Ser
vice Commission. Acting Chairman
William Hayward Immediately ordered
marlborough officials to put in re-
serve of 1000 tons in the bunkers at
the Fifty-ninth Street powerhouse. The
action Of the commission was prompted
by the admissions Of transit otficials,
who testified that for some months past
the marlborough had been operating on
a hand-to-mouth basis.
Z. J. Berwind, president Of the ber-
vind-White Coal Company, and a d.
rector Of the Interborough and the New
York Railways, was sharply questioned
on the stand by Commissioner Hay
ward with regard to the coal contracts
between the Interborough and the Der
wind-White Company.
Berwind Blames Road Officials
Mr.. Berwind disclaimed all blame for
the fuel shortage on Saturday. He SAID
responsibility must rest with the inter-
borough officials, who had failed 70 give
him twelve hours notice OF the emer-
rency, as provided for in the contract
He said in answer to questions ny
Commissioner Travis H. Whitney ina"
although the marlborough had MADE a
reouest for 1000 tons of coal TO De
used as a reserve, no effort had oeeh
made 10 supply 1t.
e. Mr.. Berwind said that the demands
on his company at the present time
we're SO great that nothing snort OF
miracle would have allowed him 70 FUR
nish the much-needed coal for the re-
serve bunkers. The United States gov
eminent by Communicating shipments
Of fuel has greatly complicated the
situation, he said.
Chief Counsel Ransom, for the com
mission. asked Mr.. Berwind:
Are you familiar with the contract
YOU. as president of the Berwind-White
Coal Company, have with the Inter
borough"
81 am" answered the fnsncler
Q.-What is your view that this con-
tract REQUIRES your company to do as
far as supplying coal is concerned ::
Any conception of the contract
Is that we made no contract-that u.s. on
the fifth day Of April, 1915. We have
had contracts for ten or twelve years
70 supply all the requirements OIL 'ne
subways for coal.
Mr.. Berwind then told Of the con-
tracts which his company had with the
Interhoroueh. which called for IoO,ouu
tons a wear. He said that IN the IasU
ten wears there had never been any
difficulty in delivering the iuel' ne
added that there would not nave Deeh
sny on Saturday but for the mlsca!cu-
Iation of the officials of the transit
company as 70 the amount OF coal III
the bunkers.
Mr. Berwind said that the contracts
his company had with the Interborough
had been prepared by the legal depart
nent of the latter company lie sald
that. as far as he knew, the contracts
were made without any open bidding.
Contracts were made after the bcr-
wind White and the Consolidation Coal
COMPANY had been requested TO submit
figures. Early in the day, Daniel Ross
vice-president and purchasing agent Tor
the PETERBOROUGH, had testified that blds
for the contracts had not been asked
from any other fuel companies.
Mr.. Berwind said that he had
verbal agreement with r. =. Shonts,
prcsident OF the marlborough, and Mr.
Ross to supply the company with
enough coal at all times so thai there
would be no possibility. Of breakdown
in the subway system. This agreement
was made, according TO the witness
after the start Of the war made de-
liveries uncertain.
When Mr. Berwind was asked why he
had not been able 20 supply the 1000
tons requested by Mr.. lIedley for tho
? .itN-NInLN NLFfHL NOWtlDDlN's it Ndt.A
that although his company had from
10000 10 $4,000 tons on barPes in the
waters about New York az all times
ne was forced by the government 20
turn over 20 the Navy Department 50
much that he had not been able 10
give the Interborougf the coal. He
added that he wanted 20 be fair with
his other customers, including the Al
lies, whose ships were depending on
him.
Must File Contract
You have got 20 conform with this
contract. even III 10 costs" snapped
Commissioner Hayward. "You have got
10 conform with the contract YOU made
With the lutcrborough. even If IL takes
money out OF your own pocket"
Daniel Ross, The purchasing agent
'Dt the Intcrborough. admitted on the
stand that the lntcrborough was en-
rely responsible Tor the shutdown. He
said that he was the only official Of the
company !n any way responsible for
the coal supply, and that the miscalcu-
lation % the superintendent IN charge
o. the Fifty-ninth Street power house