New-York tribune., 1920-11-23
Police to Take
Coal Inventory
In City Homes
Two Surveys to Determine
Exact Shortage Here Are
Begun by Municipal and
Federal Authorities
All Dealers To Be Queried
Distributor Says Opening of
Railroads Virgin Mines
Would Solve Situation

Two comprehensive and exhaustive
surveys of the local coal situation were
set in motion yesterday bv the city
and Federal governments The investi-
cations will extend into the homes of
citizens in order to obtain an accurate
knowledge Of the exact shortage facing
the city. The police will act as investi-
gators.
DR.. Royal S. Copeland, Commissioner
of Health, after confefalce with John
F. Birmingham, chairman Of the an
thracite distribution committee, said
that there was now sufficient coal on the
way to the city to eliminate the pres
ent shortage within the next ten days
The most interesting development of
the day in connection with the domestic
coal situation was the testimony of
Robert S. Feeney, vice-president of the
Saller Coal Company, of 80 West Street,
given before District Attorney Harry E.
Lewis, of Brooklyn.
Mr.. Feeney declared that if the virgin
anthracite territory controlled indi-
rectly by the Morgan interests through
the railroad owned anthracite produc-
ing companies were opened the pres
ent shortage would be quickly elimi-
mated and the price of domestic coal
would be materially reduced. He said
the co-called company operators in the
anthracite regions indulged in favorit-
ism with regard to the stribution OF
their coal.
Companies Control 80 Per Cent of Coal
Mr.. Feeney said that upward of so
per cent of the anthracite coal pro-
duced was mined by the company oper-
ators.
He declared that one Of the local
distributing companies recently organ
lied was the st. George Coal Company,
of which George Baker st. George is
president and l.. V. Birmingham sec
retary and treasurer. Mr.. St. George
is grandson of George F. Baker sr, and
Mr.. Birmingham is brother of the pres
ident of the Delaware, Lackawanna and
advertlses company coal for sale.
SIS it true that virtually all the COM
pany virgin mines-the coal outputs
controlled by the Morgan interests ?''
he was asked.
1T is generally understood that in
the background stand the Morgan in
terests," replied Mr.. Feeney. "E. T.
Stotesbury, chairman of the board of
directors Of the Reading Company, is
senior member of the firm of J. P. Nor
gan & Co.; that is, the company which
controls Philadelphia and Reading.
The Reading Company is the holding
company for the coal and iron company.
1t controls Che largest single lot of
virgin mines. 1t is also a known
fact that the Morgan interests have
financed the Erie Railroad, which con-
trolls the Pennsylvania Coal Company.
They have lot of virgin acreage.
Increased Production Needed
"If anybody wants to get right down
and help the situation it is a case of
increased production of the unopened
virgin coal, which is controlled by the
big companies"
Armin w Riley, head of the De-
partment of Justice flying squadron,
sent out a questionable yesterday to
the 800 wholesale dealers of the
greater city. The questionable was so
designed as to obtain complete in
formation regarding the present stocks
OF coal on hand and when they were
bought. The July and August prices
at the mines were lower than the Oc-
tober prices, and such dealers as are
selling al present prices coal bought in
the summer will be compelled to ex-
plain why.
The Police Department has been in
structed to make complete survey
Of the local situation, and find out the
amount of coal on hand at wholesalers
and retailers, and also the amount
needed bV citizens