New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-27
P. S. C.. to Seek Cause To-
day; Blames Roads
Parsimony
Say Fuel Was Sold
At Profit to the Navy
Ransom Charges High In
terborough Officials Knew
Supply Was Low


I,,,rhorouph's methods of supplying
.,s nover stations with coal are ex-
pected to-day, when the Public Service
Commission starts its inquiry 10 TX
responsibility for the three-hour SUP
way shutdown Saturday afternoon
The investigation will be held at III
o'clock in the Office of the commission
100 Broadway. ,,
Bv order OF Acting Chairman Will
am Haywood. William Ransom chiei
,ounsel for the commission, yesterday
issued subpanas for thirty ofieers aha
directors of the Interborough, direct
ing them to appear before the COM
mission this morning. Late last nigh'
manv of the officials had been served
in person. The others were notihed
by mail.
Coal Contractor Called
John E. Berwind, vice-president OF
The Berwind- White Coal Company
which has the Interborough's coal con-
tract was notified at his home at
Bridgehampton. Long Island TO ap-
near before the commission and bring
with him any records or information
in his possession. He Immediately
notifed the commission he would at
+e,d and give whatever information
was desired. Mr.. Berwind is d.
rector of the Interborough. and also
has the contract to supply large
share Of the company's coal.
II was intimated at the commissiohs
Offices yesterday that the reason 'ne
coal was not being supplied 10 the
marlborough in large quantities was
tina. the present contract called lot a
much lower figure than the market
nrice. An Official of the Public Service
Commission also said that he had heard
that the Berwind-White Company was
making large deliveries to the navy
and therefore could not properly sup
My the marlborough power houses.
High officials to Testify
II was said at the Offices of the com
mission that there was no disposition
20 hold bin foremen or minor employees
10 Accountability as to q matter Of com
pany policy concerning which the d.
rectors and high financial officers are
charged with responsibility.
Among the members Of the board OF
directors and officers Of the INTERIOR
ough who have been notified to appear
before the commission to-day are:
August Belmont, Edward j. Berwind,
J. II. Campbell, Thomas Cochran,
Thomas de Witt Cuyler, Horace NJ
Fisher. Frank Hedley, Alexander II
Hemphill, Augustus D. Juilliard
Charles B. Ludlow, W. Leon Pepper
man. Earl E. Starbard, Frank de c. Sui
livan. Daniel G. Reid. Guy E. Trip, d.
W. Ross, Theodore P. Shonts and Cor,
ncius Vanderbilt.
Ransom Assails Policy
Mr.. Ransom, who has been doing
most Of the investigating for the com
mission, under direction of Commits
sioner Hayward, said that the tieinf
UP of the city's principal artery OF
travel on Saturday because Of lack OF
coal demanded immediate action by the
commission.
my information is that there is nc
great difficulty in getting coal; the only
difficulty has been the price, and the
fact that the Berwind Company could
get more for its coal by selling IL 70
other concerns, instead Of delivering
it to the Interborough, as it was sup
posed TO do.
THE company's zeal in trying 70
save money by postponing the pur-
chase of an adequate supply until the
Federal government has enabled IL ia
got the lower prices stands in sharp
contrast 10 some Of the company's pur-
chasing methods on equipment, whose
cost is chargeable under the dual con-
tracts
"For the company's long continued
policy as to coal supply the directors
ard officers Of the company are, OF
course, responsible. There are many
things still to be explained as TO Sat
ucsy's shutdown.
Apparently, the company's high Of
nusls had full knowledge on Friday
that operation would have 10 be shut
dcwn on Saturday afternoon unless
the wandering barge was brought
around from East Seventy fourth
Street. or some coal procured from
other sources.
Extra Expense Feared
only unwillingness 70 open the In.
t,rborough's own bridge seems TO have
stood in the way Of bringing the barge
back by way Of the Harlem Ship Canal
only the cost of an extra tug or two
stood in the way Of bringing the barge
around the Battery"
+. Parsons. president Of the Con
tohdated Coal Company. which de
liycrs coal 10 some of the Inter
boroughs power houses, said last nigh
that his company was in no way re
sponsible for the tle-up. Mr.. Parson'
gaid that on Saturday the CONSOLIDATED
was day and half ahead in its de
liyeries.
Indefensible, Says Bowling
Frank l.. Bowling, President OF thu
Board OF Aldermen, who returned 4
mo city yesterday from his vacation
said he believed the failure OF the In
terborough 20 anticipate the tie-up Of
Saturday and 70 provide against sucf
. contingency was indefensible. "Theii
own reports" said Mr.. Bowling, "shov
that they are making 20 per cen
profit year. Incidentally, ] notice
they took no chance with the elevated
which il their own property. but rsl
ali manner Of inexeusable risk with
the subway, in tho ownership OF whic'
the city 10 their partner.
at present the city has over S2oo.
900 0O0 tied up in the subway and
think II i, time, before the city goe'
-. Su.r., t,tn ga rorket under tht