The New York herald., 1922-07-25
QUICK STATE ACTION
TAKEN BY OFFICIALS
TOFACE COAL Crisis
Conference Held at Cover
nor's Suggestion Sends
Committee to Hoover.
PRIORITY TO BE ASKED
Prendergast Will Urge
Public Utilities Needs
Be Met First.
TO GUARD FOOD SUPPLY
Plans Already Made to Pro-
tect Population of New
York and Jersey.
TO GUARD FOOD SUPPLY

Gov. Nathan L. Miller acted prompt
ly yesterday to align New York State
and the metropolis with the expected
efforts of the Federal Government in
coordinating all it's most powerful
agencies to facilitate transportation
and equitable distribution of coal.
The Governor telegraphed' to George
McAneny. chairman Of the Transit
Commission, and to William A. Prem
dergast, chairman of the Public Serv-
ice Commission. as follows:
I'm view Of indicated declaration by
Interstate Commerce Commission OF
emergency In coal situation I suggest
you take measures to cooperate with
the Federal authorities and secure an
adequate supply and proper distribu-
ton Of coal for public necessities"
AS an immediate result OF tho Gov
ernor's initiative. a conference was
held in the afternoon by McAneny,
Prendergast, representatives Of some
of the largest consumers Of fuel among
New York public utility corporations
and Eueenius H. Outerbrdge, chair
man, and Major Elihu c. Church. one
Of the transportation engineers Of the
Port OF New York Authority.
A committee was appointed to get
Immediately into touch with Secretary
Hoover Of the Department OF Commerce.
An appointment was made with him for
this afternoon In Washington and two
committee members left for the national
capital on the Congressional Limited
yesterday afternoon. The committee is
composed Of Mr.. Prendergast, LIE Roy r.
Hardness Of the Transit Commission an
J. w. Leib, vice-president Of the New
York Edison Company. as representative
Of the public service corporations.
To Ask for Priority.
In the first conference with Secretary
Hoover this afternoon Mr. Harkness.
who was unable to leave .asr night. will
be represented by, Gen. Clinton c. An
drews. chief executive officer of the
Transit Commission. WHO accompanied
Mr.. Prendersast and Mr.. Leib.
YORK HERALD reporter just before their
departure. Is to discuss thoroughly the
question Of the priority o: public utility
companies in distribution of coal
throughout the emergency. to determine
best sources Of immediate supply and
most practicable processes of delivery.
and to do whatever else may be neces-
sary to insure adequate safeguarding of
all transit and othe- public utility
companies.
Chairman McAneny OF the Transit
Commission suggested TIE public should
not interpret this action as evidence Of
undue alarm over the coal situation. L.
Is rather a precautionary measure to in
sure efficient cooperation between State
and Federal authority in the event strike
conditions this fall AMI winter bring the
metropolitan district fase to face with
war time exigencies. suca as imperative
priorities in rail shipments and
authoritative restrictions In the distri-
button and allotment Of fuel.
survey Now Under Way.
The Port. Authority day or two ago
received a communication from Gov.
Miller asking that through agencies at
its command an immediate and compre-
hensive survey be made of the status
Of the coal supply In and about the port.
That inquiry Is now under way. and II
Is said its scope naturally will cover the
available coal supply for all metropoli-
tan purposes. public and private. The
Port Authority, however. which recog-
nizes the vital necessity Of keeping the
utility corporations--transit. power
lighting, gas-adequately supplied with
fuel. has pledged It's cooperation to that
end. 1t can render invaluable service in
expediting coal shipments and deliveries
and In facilitating equitable distribution.
whether consigned to the port by sea or
by way Of the New Jersey terminals OF
the coal carrying railroads.
AS was explained by THE New YORK
HERALD last Friday, the Port Authority
adopted plan last October when there
was n threatened suspension pof rail
transportation to supply the metropoli-
tan district with the essentials of life,
food and fuel This same plan. IL is un-
derstood. will be made effective in the
event of an emergency due to the pres
ent railroad shopmen's strike and the
miners strike.
GocthaIs Ready to Aid.
Gen. George w. Goethals has con-
scnted 10 be chairman of COM
mittee to mobilize available transporta-
ton facilities TO bring necessarics of
life into New York and New Jersey IL
the railroads should cease 10 function
normally In freight carrying depart
ments.
Major Church. one OF the Port Author
ity experts. who conferred yesterday
with the Transit Commission, Is ex-
pected to act in case of necessity as
Gen. Goethals's chief OF staff The Major
has had wide experience In solving diff
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