New-York tribune., 1922-03-25
Supply of Coal
HereSufficiealt
For 2 Months
Canvass of City Reveals
Industries, Anticipating
Strike April |, Have Laid
I'm Large Reserve Stocks
Apartments Have Surplus
Not Believed There Can Be
Amy Hardships Due 10 Lack
of Fuel for Heating Homes

New York City ID we'll prepared to
face the trial of national coal strike
in the event it is not prolonged for
any great length Of time, it was learned
through a canvass made by The Trib-
une yesterday among leading local
dealers and other authorities on the
city's fuel supply
The lowest estimate made was that
the coal supply which will be on hand
April ] will be amply sufficient to pro-
month, and several other estimates
we're that no serious shortage can pos
sibly develop in the city before the
expiration of two months, even leaving
the question Of importations from non
union fields and foreign countries out
of consideration,
How much coal can be obtained from
Wales and other European centers in
the event Of a lengthy strike has not
as yet been estimated, but this feature,
it was said, has possibilities of de-
veloping into somewhat important
bearing on the general strike situation.
Because Of it the New York shipping
interests, at least, are displaying no
anxiety as to cyentualities after
April !.
Industries Lay in Big Stocks
Practically all coal-consuming estab-
lishments Of the city, according to
dealers, have anticipated the strike by
providing themselves with reserve
stocks to last two to three months,
which they are either keeping on hand
ut their plants or have in storage in
dealers yards. Such establishments
as those Of the public utilities-one
of which supplies most local indus
trial plants with their electric power
were reported to have even larger re
serve supplies. estimated by some
dealers at more than four months.
A majority of apartment houses
we're declared to possess large surplus
stocks, due, in part, to the mildness of
the winter. 1t was pointed out as OBJ
vious that there can be no possibility
of hardship due to lack Of fuel for
heating purposes, anyway, inasmuch
as the strike starts with the entrance
of balmy spring weather.
"As to the supplies held by dealers,
they are not so enormous as have been
reported, but they are large enough
even without importations, to care for
the c.tys needs for considerable time
and what is more, without any eX-
cusc for boosting prices one author
ty On coal declared. "You must re-
member that this has been a rough
winter on the coal man"
Gas Companies Well Supplied
By far the largest amount Of coal
used in New York City is anthracite
due, in part, to the nearness of the
hard coal fields and the strict anti
smoke laws. While it was declared
that no definite figures have ever been
compiled as to the exact amount of coal
burned in the city annually, the an
thracite consumption was placed at be-
tween 100000 and 100000 tons
Consumption of 100000 tons of btu
minous coal here was termed "a liberal
estimate"
The 966 gas manufacturing plants
throughout the country and under con-
troll of the American Gas Association
will not be forced to curtail the gas
supply because Of the strike, local Off
cials of the association announced.
They declared that a survey revealed
abundant reserve stocks on hand at the
plants.
Both anthracite miners and opera
tors representatives yesterday pre-
pared definite figures and other data as
to their respective demands, which they
will present when their sub scale com
mittee resumes negotiations Monday.
Late in the day the miners sent out the
official order designating the main
tenance men to be kept at work in the
hard coal mines after the general sus-
pension of work goes into effect.