New-York tribune., 1920-02-05
Possibility of Thousands
Forced to Walk Unless
Traction and Lighting
Systems Get Relief Soon
Fuel Conference
Called by Nixon
Storm Retards Movement
to Replenish Supplies ;
Car Shortage Is Acute

New York faces the possibility
not only of walking to and from
business, but of walking in darkened
streets, unless an immediate solu-
ton of the city's fuel problem is
found.
An official canvass of the coal bins
Of the transportation, gas and cleo
trio companies, made by Public Serv-
ice Commissioner Nixon during the
day, revealed the seriousness of the
situation and resulted in the calling
of a conference this morning.
The figures on stocks of coal on
hand, according to the Commissioner,
indicate that at least partial Grip
pling of transportation and lighting
facilities is highly probable, with
the complete tie-up of some avenues
of travel within the city being a
more remote possibility.
Fuel Difficulties Increase
Along with Mr.. Nixons report
came a heavy snow storm which not
only enveloped the city, but retarded
the movement Of fuel throughout the
coal fields and actually closed some
avenues from which coal has been
reaching the city. Because of
weather conditions it is expected
that car shortage, which has resulted
in the working of gangs at certain
mines but one hour a day, probably
would become more acute.
The 1nterborough Railroad last night
had less than three day supply Of
fuel in its bins. The Brooklyn Rapid
Transit lines had considerably less
than this amount, while some surface
lines face an even more serious threat
of q shutdown.
Al this mornings conference repre-
scntatives of all of the public utility
corporations will discuss the fuel sit
uation with Mr. Nixon. 1t is hoped
that some means will be found of get
from Hampton Roads. such as has beer
accomplished by the New York Edison
Company, thus making it possible to
escape from the conditions brought
about by the car shortage.
Tie-Up of City Threatened
THE limited quantity OF coal in the
>tocks of the Interborough and the 3.
R. T., well as the shortage faced by
the gas and electrical companies, might
cause not only the shutdown of the
transit lines, but would seriously af-
feet the lighting and heating com
panies as we'll said Mr. Nixon.
ITO these obstacles must be added
the great difficulty of bringing coal
from the mines to New York on ac
count of car shortage and the obstacles
in the way OF handling Goa barges
Vhile the harbor is filled with ice
foes"
The reports on file with the commits
lion show that the lnterborough com
pany has 900 tons of Goa on hand.
1t consumes ZOO tons day At its
TWO power houses the company is com
PEELED to maintain a reserve of not
less than 1000 tons al all times. If the
supply Of coal should go below 1000
tons at each station it would be impos
Slble to get coal out of the bunkers in
time to maintain pressure which
would be powerful enough to generate
electricity for the movement Of the
trains.
The Brooklyn Rapid Transit Com
pany has in its bunkerS, according to
reports to the commission, $500 tons
OF coal. Daily consumption is about
l,4o0 tons. The company, however, has
Loo tons on the water, and if harbor
conditions arc favorable. may be able
to replenish its supply before its bunk
ers become empty.
The New York Edison Company,
which supplies the current not only for
Lighting the city's streets and resi-
dences. but also furnishes power to
manufacturing plants, the Third Ave
nue. Railway, the New York, New
Haven & Hart ford and the high pres
sure pumping station, which is used
Tor fire protection. has on hand to-day
$4,000 tons. Its daily consumption is
about 1000 tons. Thus the. coal on
hand Will last only two weeks.
Car Shortage Continues
With the obstacles offered by the
clements came reports Of an even
greater car shortage, leaving mountains
- Codi on tne ground IN Ine mine
ields awaiting delivery to the city
Many big mines reported no cars at all
for the day, while others showed b,
their mine records that they had been
obtaining from 10 to 20 per cent Of
their normal quota Of cars during the
last week.
When you remember this situation
follows closely period of six weeks
during which about % per cent of the
normal coal supply was mined, it is
easy to see the disastrous results of
such a situation" said one coal expert
Yesterday. "Of course. it is impossible
Hr any mine to produce 100 per cent
OF its capacity for ffty-two weeks Of
the year, but for that very reason
shortage of % per cent of cars required
TO haul the amount mined is far more
serious than would at first appear"
The Bulah mines, owned by the Bulah
Mining Company, with offices at 12O
Broadway, are believed to be peculiarly
we'll situated for delivery, because they
are located on branches of both the
New York Central and Pennsylvania
railroads. In spite of this fact neither
road supplied the mines with any cars
yesterday. For the preceding week the