New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-06-26
Export Ban and
Car Ruling May
End Coal Crisis
Continued from page one)


present proportion by about 5000 0O(
tons week, to total Of 100000
tons week. 1t will take week or
two before this result is achieved, Nj
Willard said, but when the full effect
OF this order is felt, he was confident
the increase in the output of coal
would not only relieve the present
stringency, but would enable the utili-
ties to begin the acquisition of storage
stocks for use next winte..
Mr.. Smith, of the New York Central
who presided at the conference, as
sured the representatives of the utili-
ties that the railroads would cooper
ate to the greatest possible extent to
meet the situation. He congratulated the
representatives of the utilities upon
the spirit of cooperation they have
shown in trying to meet the emer-
gency and confirmed Mr.. Wizards
statement that conditions are improv-
ing and would continue to improve as
the result of the Car order issued by
the Interstate Commerce Commission
Mr.. Smith emphasized that the sit
uation demanded the general coopera
ton of the railroads. rre coal opera
tors and the public utilities. He said
that the railroads would appoint a
committee to meet a committee of the
coal operators at an carly conference
with the view of agreeing upon rene
dial measures.
Appeal Will Be Met, Says Barrett
Mr.. Barrett reviewed the action of
the Public Service Commission imme-
diately- upon the requests made by the
utilities for aid to meet the coal crisis
and felt confident that the Interstate
Commerce Commission would fully
meet the appeal made by the Public
Service Commission for relief.
Barrett said that reports had been
presented to him indicating that more
than l, 400 cars OF coal were tied up in
New Jersey and Staten Island and that
some of this fuel probably was being
held for purposes OF speculation and
profteering. He said that investiga-
ton of this situation is now under way
and that as soon as the facts are
known action looking toward prosecu-
ton of the guilty persons would be
forthcoming
The investigation thus far disclose
the fact that while the utilities of this
city were facing a possible shutdown
as result Of the acute coal shortage
brokers were paying heavy demurrage
charges to keep the 1,4OO cars of coal
at standstill and were reducing the
supply of unloaded cars instead of hav-
ing these empties sent through to the
terminals.
Brokers Holding Back Coal
1t was definitely learned also that
within the last few weeks brokers
were holding back coal and Offering it
for export trade at Newport News
thus producing a scarcity in the open
market and forcing a scramble of buy
ers for this open market coal.
coal, the Public Service Commission
learned, has been caused, among other
things, by the fact that the coal con-
tracts of many of the large utilities
expire July /. Coal spectators planned
to make large "killngs" by holding
back their coal supplies until after that
date and then forcing the utilities to
pay exorbitant prices or else face Grip
pling of their operations and, in many
cases, complete shutdowns.
Discussing the quantities of coal
now being held for export, Commits
sioner Barrett said:
eve shall do all in our power to pre-
vent coal going to solve the problems
vi LulOpC uutll IIlc PIODICIuS vi tUG
United States are solved first. I shall
move to have the Staten Island coal at
least diverted to our public service cor
porations to keep our gas, electric light
and transit systems in service Elk
port needs make such an active market
that they are willing to strip America
of coal If they are not prevented.
Hopes Placed in Export Order
l, III,
lie utilities and manufacturers on the
mission virtually shutting off coal ex-
ports. This order. it is felt, will i'm
mediately put an end to speculation in
coal for export purposes and will great
ly augment the domestic supply. Is
suancc of this order was learned yes
tcrday at the office of Commissioner
j. W. Howe, of the Tide Water Coal
Exchange in this city. Under strict
Interpretation of this order foreign
ships will be compelled to return to
the practice in vogue during the last
coal crisis of taking on coal in this
port sufficient only to carry them to
Halifax and loading fuel for the voyage
across the Atlantic at that port.
Proclamation of the embargo on coal
has provoked violent protests from
that so per cent of the ships allocated
by the Shipping Board to private steam
ship companies are engaged in the
carrying out of coal export contracts
The coal embargo deals a heavy blow
to these shipping interests.
Commissioner Howe's Office was in
formed yesterday by the Brooklyn
Rapid Transit Company that its sup
ply of coal on hand is sufficient only
to permit operation of its lines until
this morning. 1t is understood, how
ever, that the company has a number
of barges loaded with coal lying in
this port and that this supply will
carry it over until Monday morning
No fear of the shutdown of the B
r. T. lines is felt, as that company
has been promised aid by the Inter
borough and other utilities, which have
larger supplies of coal on hand
City Teamsters Threaten