New-York tribune., 1920-06-30
Coal Shortage
Now Threatens
Homes i'm City
With Only l71,OOO Tons,
Less Than Weeks Supply,
on Hand, Cooking Fuel
T a m ne Is Forecast
Many Buyers Pay $l7
National Coal Association
Refuses to Meet Public
Utilities Committee

Information obtained yesterday from
coal buyers revealed that many are
paying as much as SIT ton in Brook
lyn and Manhattan, as a result of the
coal shortage. 1t was also learned that
before the export embargo order, issued
by the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion and now in effect, export coal
dealers were getting as much as $26
a ton from foreign buyers. The en-
barge order has put a deadly crimp in
the plans Of coal profiteers engaged
in export trade.
L. has also affected seriously steam
ship companies whose ships were en-
gagged exclusively in carrying out coal
export contracts.
There has been no definite improve
ment in the coal situation, it was
learned yesterday at the office of the
Public Service Commission. Commits
sioner Barrett said that survey made
by inspectors showed the public utili-
ties of New York have not more than
171,000 tons of coal on hand. This Is
less than weeks supply.
May Affect Homes
Mr.. Barrett said that the end Of the
week may see such a serious shortage
that householders may be deprived Of
coal for cooking purposes.
The Public Service Commission has
been informed, though unofficially
that the National Coal Association, the
organization of mine owners and oper-
ators, has declined to accede to the
appeal Of the railroads to meet a COM
mlttee Of the public utilities of New
York for the purpose of discussing the
renewal of coal contracts expiring July
and in general cooperating with the
utilities to meet the coal emergency.
The appeal to the National Coal Asso-
citation was addressed by President
A. S. Smith, of the New York Central;
President Rea, Of the Pennsylvania,
and President Bessler, of the Central
Railroad of New Jersey. No statement
Public Service Commission on the al
legged action of the National Coal As
sociation, but it was learned that the
committee in charge of the situation
is inclined to accept the report as true.
Commissioner j. W. Howe. of the
:Tidewater Coal Exchange, represent
ing the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion in this city, who returned from
Washington yesterday, said that, con-
ttrarry to expectations, he did not bring
back with him the order of the Inter-
state Commerce Commission decree
ing priority coal shipments for New
York, Philadelphia and Baltimore.
Mr. Howe said that, until the coal
crisis in New York and New England
is relieved, the order barring coal ex-
ports will be continued. AS result
OF the countrywide coal congestion,
Mr.. Howe said, there have been no coal
shipments in quantity either to New
York or New England in the last week.
Mr. Howe said that no quantity ship
ments Of coal can be expected before
the end of the week or the beginning
OF next. He does not look for any i'm.
Provement in the situation until that
time. He asserted that in a few spe
clal instances permits have been
granted here and in Boston to foreign
tiansatlantic ships for sufficient bunker
coal to take them across the ocean.
Ontll the coal situation improves
suffclently for the coal export emha roo
to be lifted, Mr.. Howe said. foreign
ships will be able to obtain bunker
coal only under special dispensat;on
Those unable to obtain such coal viii
receive fuel sufficient only to take them
TO Halifax, where they will obtain The
rest Of the fuel necessary for the corn
pIetlon of their voyage.