The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-11-13

Emergency Fuel Will BE
Given Only to Those
Who Have None.
MORE Is PROMISED SOON
Operators and Local Retail
ers Cooperate to Pre-
vent Distress.
COPELAND MAKES APPEAL
Asks Commerce Commission
for Priorities to Safeguard
Health of People.
MORE Is PROMISED SOON
COPELAND MAKES APPEAL

Heavy rail shipments of emergency
anthracite coal, destined to relieve
acute distress in this city. are on their
way from the anthracite fields of
Pennsylvania. Other deliveries will
follow speedily. Their need was ac-
centuated by the drop in temperature
yesterday and the biting wind accom-
Ianying it.
The plan for emergency relief, which
tas the active cooperation of the an
thracite operators and of local retail
ers, who will aid in equitable distribu-
fion. began TO function yesterday UNI
der the experienced leadership of John
j. Birmingham, president of the Della
ware, Lackawanna and Western Coal
Company.
conference was held yesterday at
which were present Mr. Birmingham. as
chairman OF the committee on whole
sale distribution: Arthur +. Rice. chair
man Of the retail dealers committee on
distribution and Commissioner of the
Retail Coal Merchants Association;
Samuel Drummond. secretary of the
Brooklyn Coal Exchange. who will have
general supervision over the emergency
distribution in that borough; Edward
T.. Doyle, chairman OF the joint coal
committee of the Real Estate Board, the
Building Managers and Owners Asso-
citation. and of the municipal Health
Department, and William McMurtrie
Speer, special assistant to the Attorney
General, in charge under Mr.. Palmer OF
coal reforms in this Federal district
Statement by Birmingham.
Mr.. Birmingham then made public this
statement:
''In view of the shortage OF domestic
anthracite coal plans have been con-
summated for relieving the situation
through the wholesale anthracite opera
tors the Department of Justice and the
retail coal associations OF New York
and Brooklyn. a committee of the pro-
ducers has agreed, practically every
large wholesale operator concurring, 10
ship additional coal in domestic sizes
TO this market, to be used for emer-
gency purposes only: that IL. in cases
where consumers have no coal and their
health and comfort are endangered.
ALREADY ten cargoes and certain rail
shipments have been provided for and
will be forwarded at once. 10 be fol-
lowed by others as rapidly as possible
The committee on wholesale distribu-
tlon has had the retail associations in
conference and learned the sections in
most urgent need. and has received the
consignments of this emergency coal.
On It's arrival the retail dealers In any
district will participate in its distribu-
tion in small lots to householders, ped
lers, &C., and viii endeavor to meet the
most urgent requirements.
"It would be useless for persons clam
oring for coal IN large quantities 10 at
tempt to get such orders filled out OF
these special shipments. Such consum-
ers must rely on their regular dealers to
Keep them going for their Immediate
needs. which is being generally done, az
shown through the activities Of the
Health Department and its daily reports
TO the retail associations.
"In this matter the question Of price
Is in no way involved. and neither the
Department OF Justice. the wholesale
operators nor the retail dealers are even
discussing the price question, for that IS
a matter entirely outside or this con-
certed effort TO meet the threatening
condition.
at is an attempt 10 get as much coal
as possible here quickly and to have IL
placed where II Is most seriously needed.
Il seems to be as good plan as could
be devised to meet the conditions.
"Consumers who have sufficient coal
for immediate requirements Will be Of
material assistance TO those In need II
they will refrain from attempting to
place orders at this time"
New York and Washington suffer.
In the Philadelphia meeting OF Novem-
Der 4 Il was made clear that the short
age Of anthracite was particularly acute
Sn New York city and Washington.
Since that time the Anthracite Bureau
Of Information OF Philadelphia has
called attention to the recent deficiency
in anthracite output because the miners
celebrated three holidays within one
week The mines were idle on October
=. which Is mitchell Day" wherein the
golfers celebrate the settling OF the
great anthracite strike Of 1902; on All
Saints Day and again on election day.
November ?. The anthracite bureau
shows that the anthracite output lost
thus would have sufficed 70 supply the
needs of New York and Washington.
DR. Royal s. Copeland, Health Conn
missioner. sent this telegram yesterday
80 Edward Clark. Washington. chair
man OF the Interstate Commerce Com
mission;
First winter weather has struck New
York and found it in woeful condition
from lack of coal. For sake OF health
of people OF this great city 1 appeal TO
YOU TO issue priority orders for ship
rnents OF all anthracite coal. domestic
sizes. TO this city for at least next
week"
.Teseph VI. Lonergan, chief sanitary
Inspector. had reported TO the Commits
sioner that most OF the citys coal yards
had little stock on hand.
~ Newark yesterday more than COO
families applied TO Mayor Glllen for "a
share Of the $50 tons Of coal tho Mayor
had purchased at the mines through an
independent operator. The coal is be-
"a -.
tho Newark retail rate.