The New York herald., 1921-03-14
COMMITTEE URGES
EARLY COAL BUYING
inquiry Conducted by Real Es-
tate Interests Shows Need
for Fuel Storage.

Practical suggestions FOR forustisilins
4 coal famine next wi.tcr are contained
in report Of joint committee repre-
senting real estate interests made public
yesterday. Tie committee. OF which
Edward T. DOYLE is chairman includ -
representatives Of the Real Estate
Board OF Mex York, the New YORK
Building Managers and Owners Assoc!a-
tlon. the Advisory Council OF Real IS
rate interests and the Board Of Health
As result or IT, investigation. which
covered a period OF six months, the
committee finds that New York es 'oi.sd
serious coal famine and attending
misfortune only because OF the TN
usually mild winter.
The Importance o. early buying ana
storing next winters supply OF coal Is
stressed In a statement given cur by
Mr.. Doyle yesterday Among othc- sGS-
gestions offered IS one directed TO ne
owners Of large buildings, VINO are
asked TO change their CRATE bars IN oF-
dor 10 use commercial size instead of thc
domestic anthracite.
The Interstate Commerce Commission
has been asked 20 authorize over
rate OF transportation for coal during
The period when the railroads are least
busy. The bituminous producers nave
agreed with the committee TO cooperate
IN the effort 10 stimulate early ouyins'
but vigorous efforts 70 &c. the Aa.hra-
cite Producers Association 70 agree 10
slight price reduction for the sam" rec
son SO far have failed. III his sta'e1lent
Nj. Doyle says:
"Favorablo responses haze been re-
ceivcd from all interests affected except
tho most important Interest OK aA--.ns
Anthracite Producers Association. rms
association claims that i wiil NOT ne
pra cticable 10 reduce prices because OF
the increasing demand and lowered pro-
duction. Unless there Is strong pressure
from the public end from Congress no
irducement will be offered for spring
purchasing.
"As the present retail prico Of aathra-
cite is uneconomic and really beyond the
ability of tho ordinary customer 20 pay
there will be no spring buying. and tnere
win be another shortage when necessity
forces buying at a sacrifice.
mo sane business man wants Govern
mont regulation, but the attitude OF INC
anthracite producers may force sous
form OF regulation OF this monopoly.
Senator Calder verv truly says tina; coal
Is an absolute public necessity ana Il
TIE basis Of all industry. " - also cs-
scntial % living In modern communities.
Now York city without light or neat
would be impossible.
Last winter the great gas and trans
portation companies were freQuenti"
within few days Of cessation OF activ-
tiles No government could exist that
would tolerate continuation OF last
winters situation.
The committee records with great
pleasure an entirely favorable coninunl-
cation from the bituminous producers.
Their association offers TO cooperate IN
every way. and their prices are sIffl-
cien'ly low TO stimulate spring and SUM
mer buying. This will help wonderfully
,he gas and transportation companies
hut soft coal Ia not used for domestic
purposes end cannot legally be ased for
manufacturing purposes IN Greater New
York on account of the smoke nuisance.
1T Is hoped that sufficient pressure
VIII be brought 70 bear on the anthracite
producers to forco change IN their at
tltude."