The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-01-06
CITY GETS COAL
FOR ALL NEEDS;
POOR SUPPLIED
Weeks Crisis Relieved by
Large Shipments and
Warmer Weather.
$4,000 TONS BROUGHT IN
Police Aid in Distribution Of
Small Lots to Families
in Want.

With a steady rise In temperature and
4 steady flow OF coal coming in by barge
and train, the time OF officials concerned
with the coal situation in this city was
mainly taken Up yesterday with the
pressing problem OF distribution.
The problem was met In great part by
fhe heads Of various city departments.
who worked all day In close cooperation
with the Fuel Administration. and under
The personal direction Of Mayor Hylan.
The police alone distributed $50 tons Of
coal among s.0s2 poor families after
ascertaining the whereabouts OF the fuel
sy house to house canvass conducted
in every precinct within the i've bor-
ourhs. The charity organizations. acting
IN connection with the City Chamberlain
AID the Coal Administration, distributed
At least 500 tons more. About $4,000
TONS. in the extraordinary course OF
business for which provision has been
made through the Fuel Administration
and through the Government acting as
supreme head Of the railroads. reached
tic city on trains and barges and was
distributed by dealers to large concerns
and 10 the points which require large
supplies Of coal for large consumers
Union Rules Go by Board.
At meeting in the City Hall organ
ized labor lent its aid and comfort By
agreeing that for the duration Of the
coal shortage all union rules would go
by the board and that there would be no
strikes and no fine points Of technique in
the matter Of union men working over
time. Union officials representing the
ieamsters, haHers leaders and engineers
pledged themselves and their organiza-
tons to this pact and promised hearty
agencies concerned In filling the city's
bins.
Mr. schley warned the public gener-
ally yesterday that Of the $4,000 tons
which reached the city during the day
only about half was such coal as Is
available for dwelling house needs. in
Guiding the needs OF apartment houses
and hotels. and that until coal is coming
into the city in increased quantities con-
sumers should be very frugal In their
consumption OF 1t. He said also that
certain optimistic figures given out
earlier in the day by Albert II. Smith.
Director General OF. Railroads for the
Last. should be read In the knowledge
that only a moderate proportion Of the
coal discussed by Mr.. Smith would re-
main in this city. as much OF Il was
billed through to points East and North.
Mr.. Smith said yesterday that there
were s2.25o tons on barges at tidewater.
loaded and starting for Manhattan. and
another 60.S00 tons also loaded and
Wai.ipc 70 ha tnvoA ttIau,asar al
together. counting the coal on cars.
harges, floats and in pockets there was.
.lr Smith said. a total OF 227.600 tons.
OF the coal actually reaching the city
yesterday 1880 tong came by barge and
fhe pressure on. the Pennsylvania tun-
res was so lightened that It was only
necessary TO send seventy cars through
them, as against 127 cars on Friday.
Police Look Out for Poor.
It was the police and other city em-
ployees. acting under orders from Mayor
Hylan. who yesterday made comforta-
bic Sunday possible for the city's poor.
The policemen began their task when
the first morning platoon went out and
jeyery ratrol'nan found himself charged
| with the task of inquiring into the Goa!
supply Of every building on his beat.
commissioner Bugher. rs head OF the
department. expressed himself as highly
sra'ii,ed last night with the way the cit-
zens OF the city generally had met the
efforts of the police and with the willing
ress with which they had permitted their
supplies OF coal to be reduced. Alto
fether 3s2 tons Of coal were gathered
ny The police during the day.
Some OF this coal was obtained by the
pan and shovelful. as in cases where the
police came upon coal being delivered
INTO houses and were permitted to take a
''hy toll Of 1t, and In other cases Il was
contributed by the several tons. Mayor
iy!an himself contributed three tons
lrom the cellar OF his hons in Brooklyn,
!oaVing himself with only a single ton
Ihe coal was gathered In by wagons Of
u!e Highway. Street Cleaning and Park
departments. and was distributed free in
.ma! quantities to 3.0s2 poor families.
Many Of those who contributed the coal
VIII be paid for it eventually, but the bulk
o. yesterdays contributors gave Il free,
pea.crs all through the city aided the
t.uahoh among those badly in need
y. c't'. nut able to pay for II. yester-
.a'' ny selling 1t direct at their yards.
AZ rhe New York Central coal yards
~ lhirtE-thrd street and the Hudson
hVeT' and at the Lehigh Valley pockets
a. me foot Of West Twenty seventh
sFe't coal in such quantities rs could
~, ne Afforded was sold direct to the pub.
'"' ordinarily the railroads handle
,oal exclusively for their own use, but
~ ~ INC emergency of thousands Of fami-
'H WtAout II, acted as retail dealers
W lew hours to relieve the general
creSS The National Coal and Coke
"a rtE -
.ae continued yesterday to dispense its
o@l.y Offering OF 5000 tons OF coke.
me Equitable Life Assurance So
ueV gave out coal tickets with .ts
..,a'u'day ~, pay envelopes yesterday and
uNhehSod fifteen tors on the street In
sNy pound bags. Men who are In re-
,'p, OF more than comfortable salaries
~ nc Equitable employ were only too
sIaa 10 avail themselves OF the chance
hko home n bag OF coal and to
'suently wait their turn 10 get IT, The
'n!ahy Will distribute another twenty
ave Tons In the rame way tomorrow.
horoughs OF the city other than Man
haltan reported fair conditions in the
matter Of fuel during the day. Thirteen
huhdred tons reached The Bronx by
..'gh''aIi and more will 10 on hand BY
,n's morning early. More than three
"Undred apartment houses In the bor-
ousA have been wholly without coal for
week brooklyn did fairly well and
was encouraged II not satisfied. A