The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-11-11
'HYLAN TELLS COAL
SURVEY PURPOSES
Writes DIR. Garfield Saying 1t
Is Directed Against the
HOarders Of Fuel.
QUOTES ORDER TO POLICE
Intimates Discrimination in
Distribution Of Supplies
Sent to New York.

Garfield, United states Fuel AnHhnis'
traitor, telling why he requested the
police to ind out how much coal fs IN
bins in New York city and assuring him
that any statement In tho press that the
coal survey was for the Fuel Adninis-
tration or any one connected with 1t IL
Incorrect and that no investigation will
be made for the Fuel Administration
unless one Is asked for.
Mr.. Hylan supplied the Fuel Admins
tration with a copy of n letter TO Police
Commissioner Enright ordering the
police to make The survey and giving the
reasons for II. In which the Mayor wrote:
I'VE may not be able TO change these
rotten conditions during our official
lifetime, but we can at least mako a
try at II with the help OF an aroused
and enlightened public opinion"
This Investigation" the Mayor ex-
planned to Mr.. Garfield, lis made for
the purpose of having an inventory OF
the coai supply in the city OF New York
so that those who have an excess supply
could DO appealed tn to help the less
fortunate who might be without coal
as hundreds of people were last winter
resulting IN great suffering and distress.
Information Was Unobtainable.
request naN Dten Ul3ue UPON Tue
Fuel Administration authorities In this
city as to the amount OF coal on hand
here. and their response has been that
there Is no man or body in this city who
has in his or their possession the infor-
nation above requested.
Il note by the press that you have
allowed another increase in the price OF
coal of IS cents per ton because OF the
increase in the wages OF miners. which
II report is correct. amounts to about
SO cents per week. The people who
were unable to secure coal when they
had complied with all the requirements
OF the Fuel Administration months ago
must now pay IS cents more per ton.
This will take millions out OF the
pockets OF the poor people OF this city.
The people look to me as Mayor Ia be
sufflcie ntly interested in their welfare to
be prepared in the case 81 an emergency
to assist them. Unless I know the ac-
tual conditions I will not be in a posi-
ton to advise or help them. It Is my
plain duty to the people OF this city 10
guard and protect their interests as far
as 1t lies within NV "ower and can
not see what object there is to the
Mayor knowing the actual conditions OF
the coal supply in this city. There is no
intention on my part to in any way en-
barrass or interfere with the Fuel Ad-
ministration work in this city.
THE city of New York during my ad-
ministration will render every possible
assistance to the Federal authorities In
the future as II has In the past
Text of Order Given to Police.
right requesting the coal survey. the
Mayor said:
MANY huT dreds OF complaints have
been received in this Office from all over
the city from families who cannot pro-
cure any COAL although they complied
with the requirements OF the Fuel Adj
Illustrator and placed their orderE as
early as last April.
From time TO time we read in the
newspapers OF the great quantities OF
coal that have came into this city. and II
seems as though there must have been
unfair discrimination or that the scheme
OF distribution was badly regulated,
What we are entitled to know is who
were the fortunate ones that got coal
and who are the urfortunates who are
not going to get any and why?
AS soon rs the Liberty Loan drive Is
over. I would like to have you make a
survey of the coal situation in this city
making a record OF the names and adj
dresses of those who have been for
tunate enough 20 secure practically all
the coal they need for the winter. II
might happen that the Fuel Admins
traitors may not be able TO bring In as
much coal for general domestic use as
they have predicted and in time OF stress
II would he helpful to know to whom we
light turn to ask them to help out their
less fortunate neiGhbors.
Il In
md out the quantity Of coal the gas
and electric light companies have or
hand, the price they paid for II. the
amount they receive daily and theft
daily consumption.
"If the occasion requires we may have
TO employ the power given to the city
authorities by the Board of Aldermen
to take coal that is being, boarded and
distribute 1t 70 those who are in need
and freezing"
THE Indifferent attitude or the Goa
trust and their agents prompts me &c
take preparatory action at this time sc
that IN 80 far as possible the people car
he relieved from the distressing winter
weather.
"A very strange thing that to my
mind has some definite connection with
the sad condition that must be faced BY
the people Of Nesr York this winter IS
the fact that tine stock securities OF the
coal distribution company that prac'
tically controls the distribution OF Goa
in this city have in the last few months
increased several million dollars IN
value, according to the Stock Exchange
quotations, while az the same time We
are asked to believe that the local Goa
industry in almost wreck by reason OF
the coal shortage.
"I know that from an examination OF
balance sheet OF this thriving loca
coal trust the biggest item In its assets
Is listed as Good will. Sc Good will
according to the coal trust dchn' ..-'
evidently means Increased profts l..
proportion az there Is an increase In
suffering and distress OF the inhabitant,