New-York tribune., 1918-01-06
$4,000 Tons Arrive; Pre-
dicted Storm May Tie
Up All Traffic
Hylan Urges Seizure
Of Gas Co.'s Fuel
1t Is of the Bunker Type,
and Is Needed as a Re-
serve, Says Official

rising temperature yesterday
brought no general relief in the des-
perate coal situation in New York.
County Fuel Administrator Schley
estimated that about $4,000 tons were
brought ina bit more than half of
the normal consumption of the city.
To make matters worse, the Weather
Bureau at Washington sent out
storm warning last night, predicting
heavy snowfall here to-day or to-
morrow, which may tie up all lines of
land transportation.
Each day draws New York closer to
an absolute coal famine and makes the
situation more serious. 1t developed
yesterday that large portion of the
thousands of tons of coal said to be
nearing the city was bunker coal, and
entirely untitled for the use of any
thing but ships. 1t was also learned
that part of the fuel announced as
having been brought into New York
does not remain. here, but merely
passes through to other affected dis
tricts.
Kill Won Kull, the main waterway
by which coal reaches the city, was
blocked again last night by heavy ice
foes, after remaining open for only
twenty-four hours. Tugs are trying to
clear it,
Mayor Hylan, who has been vitality
interested in the coal famine since en-
tering Office, and has offered the fuel
administrators the cooperation Of The
city government, yesterday undertook a
personal tour of inspection to look for
coal boards. He found 10000 tons be-
longing to the Consolidated Gas Com
pany, and 10000 tons, the property Of
the Washburn Wire Company, whose
plant recently burned down, and forth
with advised the fuel administrators to
commander the fuel. Mr.. Schley said
neither supply could be used for do
mestc purposes.
The Police Department, on orders
from Mayor Hylan, yesterday began
taking a coal census, making a house
to house canvass to learn if there were
any domestic reserves that could be
drawn on to tide the poor over the coal
shortage. Individuals, business estab-
lishments and corporations were asked
to volunteer giving or selling their
surplus to equalize the coal supply.
Police Distribute 3S6 Tons
At the end of strenuous day, the
police had collected and distributed
$50 tons of coal and six loads of wood
to 3,0S2 families that had no fuel
The Mayor. in letter to Mr..
Schey, said that he had found 10000
tons Of coal in the bunkers of the Con-
solidated Gas Company, Ninety ighth
Street and First Avenue, which persons
IN the neighborhood told him would not
be touched this year, while an equal
amount of coal at 11t8h Street, belong
ing TO the Washburn Company, was
rot doing anybody any good, as the
company's plant was in ashes.
Robert K. Livingston, advertising
manager for the Consolidated Gas Com
pany, said that if the Mayor tried to
commander the reserves of the gas
Company an appeal would be taken i'm
mediately to the local and national
iuel administrators. He expected that
National Fuel Administrator Garfield
would permit no tampering with the
reserves
I'VE supply about 1000, 900 persons
IN New York city" said Mr. Livingston.
We don't dare to have less than from
TOUR to six weeks supply on hand to
guard against eXigencics. We may
nave slN weeks reserves at the outside
now.
Says Coal Reserve Is Needed
We arc furnishing more gas daily
d. the present time than any gas com
pahy has ever done in the history of
INC world. Our daily output has gone
rs high rs 142,0O0,OOO cubic feet, ard
'he strain put on us to meet this de-
mand may be judged by the fact that
our normal output runs from 81 00O, 900
10 lo3,00o.00O cubic feet. We have
never had such a rush of business as
IN the past two weeks. Not only have
we.s we supplied gas for, cooking and hot
water IN private homes, hospitals.
sanitariums, but we have heated thous-
snos OF homes. Gas companies in other
s''es have refused to sell gas stoves
Guy piates to their patrons. We have
Soiu T; al we had and have sent for and
distributed more"
Mr: Schley said he had not received
r wy mayors letter. but when it was
ssau s TO him over the telephone he an
answered that it was absolutely
nnecessary to keep the Consoli-
a, aated Gas Company pIentifully sup
pled with coal. Mr.. Schley said he
w.l vac gone over the coal supply situation
"m ~.n the Consolidated Gas Company's
vmciaas. and knew that the company's
,,Iysefves were less than a year ago.
ta as pointed out that there was not a
senement house in New York City with
vut gas. and a gas shortage would
n;t'a n;ean an inconceivable disaster to the
wy. Mr. Schley declared that the
sas company's coal was too large any
tnay LOT domestic use, and would have
70 be broken.
AS for the Washburn Wire Com
Rsnys supply" said Mr.. Schley, sit is
,H,'ey coal, mixture of mud aud
~ S =. ana bltuminous grades. l learned
i .ne supply some time ago, and had
~. ~ tested by an expert, who told me it
i, ss o. very poor quality. offered
80 W Burns Brothers, who have a yard
iisoss niaos the street from the Washburn
'aTm., and they refused to touch it,"
me city-wide police canvass for
t1V~Ae -