New-York tribune., 1922-08-31
City J Status
Better, as Coal
IsRa1sIaed Here
40, 600 Toms of Bitulnainolas
on Way. Quarter of Ship
naerst To BE Available for
Local Needs at $40 a Ton
WhaIen Revises His Plan
VIII Buy in Ordinary Way;
AIiller Is Here Considering
m. X. Man for Fuel Chief

I 44..---.4.--2------------
State and city officials most directly
eoncernad with the coal shortage
adopted more optimistic tone in dis
cussing conditions last night. Eu
! genius II. outerbridge, chairman OF
the State Fuel Commission, reported
n considerable improvement in the soft
coal situation in the last ten days, and
Commissioner Grover A. Whalen Of
the Department Of Plant and Struc-
tures announced that bids for the
city's coal requirements for the last
quarter OF ia22 are shout to be adj
vertised for in the regular way instead
of using any part Of the s1.00o.ooo
emergency appropriation for purchases
| IN the open market.
Commissioner LIE Roy 7. Harkness of
the Transit Commission, announced
that tho first shipment of 10000 tons
OF soft coal for New York State needs
was on its way from Hampton Roads.
Ten thousand tons of this coal is to be
reserved for New York City require
ments and will be available at price OF
about $40 a ton.
Up State Demands Anthracite
This Improvement in the situation
was noted By Mr.. Outerbridge on his
first days attendance at the Fuel Com
missions sessions, following his illness
of ten days ago. There are some who
still insist they must have anthracite,
Mr., 0uterbridge said, among them
being several upstate cities, but they
will have to use bituminous.
Governor Miiler's arrival in New
York late last night, coupled with Mr..
Outerbridge's first attendance at the
Fuel Commission, gave rise to several
reports of the Iatter's impending ap-
pointment as state fues~ administrator
under the new emergency fuel law.
This Mr. Outerbridge emphatically de-
MED.
Since his trip to Washington with
Governor Miller in the interests of
fuel legislation, Mr.. Outerbridga said,
filing his present post in a purely
advisory capacity and only until the
appointment of a permanent fuel ad-
ministrator for the state. He has not
even been considered for the post, MIR.
Outerbridge said.
Questioned on his arrival from AL
bany, Governor Miller declared that he
had not yet made up his mind on the
man he will appoint fuel administra-
tor, adding that he was not sure of
doing 50 to-day. He said that he had
several men in mind. one of them
from New York City.
Commissioner Harkness's name is
mentioned prominently among those
whom it is said the Governor is con-
sidering. During the absence of Mr..
Outerbridge Mr.. Hagkness has been
acting chairman of the Fuel Commits
sion and was suggested as permanent
chairman when Mr.. Outerbridgc sought
20 resign week ago because OF ill
health. The present chairman was per-
suaded to reconsider his resign alton
| and consented, but Mr. Harkness has
| been the active head Of the commits
sion. He also has gathered coasidera-
bic data from the Massachusetts, Fuel
ministrator selected by Governor Mil
| Ter, SO that New York may profit by
| the experience gained in similar cam
| paign in Massachusetts.
| Following a telephone conversation
] with Washington Mr.. Outerbridge said
| that he had learned that the Federal
Fuel Administrators Office was dis
| solving. Failure to get necessary leg
| isletion was given as the reason for
! the. abandonment Of voluntary Federal
| fuel control.
| OF Purchase in advertising for bids for
/ coal in the customary way is thought
/ to indicate that fuel can still be OBJ
! tanned by competitive bidding. Mi.
| Whalen said he thought it unwise for
! the city to use the S1,o00,00o emer-
| gency appropriation for open market
| purchases at this time--first, because
| it would cause prices to rise, due to
the city's competition, and, second, be-
| cause there was no certainty as to the
| quality Of the coal bought in this way.
Contractors Abide by Terms
Present city contracts expire on
September so, and for the most part
contractors are living up to the terms
of their agreements. Default has been
made by the contractors required to
supply the schools in Manhattan and
the Bellevue and Allied Hospitals, but
under the other municipal contracts
4 coal is still being delivered.
aSince the danger Of fuel famine
became acute" said Mr.. Whalen. 81
have been besieged by people who
want to sell the city coal. More than
million tons has been offered me.
incidentally, I've discovered a lot of
sharp practices in the coal business
among. dealers who carry their mines
IN their vest pockets and their Offices
4 in their hats"
! .Mr. Whalen told OF one dealer, who
/ after defaulting on contract to fur
nlsh city department with coal at
% son, supposedly because of the
shortage, offered to furnish coal at SO
/ ton on an open market purchase.
4 Or. Royal s. Copeland, Health Scm-
missioner, announced that he had peen
offered LOCO carloads OF soft coal cit