New Britain herald., 1922-10-26
MAYOR APPEARS LN NEW ZZT WITH
 FUEL DIRECTOR ON COAL PROBLEM
Former Issues Open Letter Which Is Promptly An swered This Morning by His Appointee.

In q communication sent today b, Mayor A. NJ. Paonessa to Fuel Ad. ministrator F. w. Christ, the mayor requests that Mir. Christ back up with facts, recent allegations that the may. or is playing politics with the coa situation. this the mayor explains, be- ing in justice to both. The mayor ven lures an opinion that local dealers may have guessed wrong" in buying coal, but he feels that the public should not suffer. he explains. Mayors Letter Following is the letter. My Dear Sir
 Through the columns of local news papers l have learned with surprise that you are quoted as having said in your recent political speeches and at a meeting Of the fuel commission. when I was not present eff the Mayor wants 10 play politics he can have all he wants of it: I will resign my job as fuel administrator and play poli- tcs'' X T have kept politics out of fhis coal problem The Mayor has been trying to bring politics into it. Permit me to direct your attention to these facts. On April 17th 1922. took the oath as Mayor of the whole city of New Britain, not of any clique, faction or political party. To me that cath was sacred and am endeavoring to live up to its every obligation. As result of a coal and railroad strike the coal condition in the city of New Britain became acute: many peo- pie had been out of employment or working on very short time over a period of about fifteen months. and were not in a position to procure coal at unusual prices. I see no politics in this.
 Anent the Appointees. On August goth. 1922, ever mindful of my obligation as Mayor I appoint ed fuel commission of five: you be- ing one of the commission. all of whom I believe are affiliated with the same political party as yourself. I see no politics in this.
 Subsequent to the appointment of this fuel commission our respective political parties saw fit to nominate you and me. This was politics but the coal problem had no bearing on eth- CT of our nominations.
 have talked with you several times and have written you numerous com- munications bearing on the coal situ- alton and I now invite you as an hon. orable man to name or set forth a single utterance or sentence in any of these talks or communications that in any way breathes of politics or poli- ticsl expediency. You owe this to yourself and you owe Shis 10 me. Asks For Proof. I further invite you to cite single instance wherein have directly or indirectly used the local coal situation to hinder your candidacy or to further my own. Again l say you owe this to yourself and you owe this to me.
 The fact still remains that in so far as the ordinary man is concerned the coal situation in New Britain is acute. The fact that coal dealers have bought coal at so-caAed boot leg'' prices is unfortunate for them but so far as I can see they are in the same position as the man who takes chance in the stock market; it was their judgment-thsy guessed wrong.
 Attacks High Prices
 But the coal commission was not created for the purpose of protecting them from loss but for the purpose of protecting the little householder who had no voice in the original ven- ture and who should not be asked to pay for a mistake in judgment made by someone over whom they had no control. This is not politcs-it is common sense and is what the family man who has to buy coal is saying,
 Coal is being sold in Meriden at the following prices: Furnace, egg. stove and nut coal may be obtained for s1550 a ton chuted and S16.25 carried This price has been ap- proved by the local and state admin istrations.
 Coal is being sold in Bridgeport at the following prices; Stove and nut s15.5O per ton. Pea, s14 per ton"
 Coal is being sold in Springfield at the following prices: Pea coal s14, nut and stove s15.5o.
 Coal is being sold in Hartford at the following prices: Pea coal sl5 a ton; nut coal s16 a ton; stove coal s16 a ton."
 Coal is being sold in Bridgeport as folows. 'Buckwheat S9 to $lb, wash pea mixed with all other 61e5, Sl435: Wash key, s13,50, all other sizes, $15.25. Above is for spot cash de- livered in cellars and 30 cents per ton after five days
 The coal dealers in these cities guessed right.
 Hopes News MisQuoted.
 I am writing you this in spirit of all kindness with a firm belief in your honesty, and the hope that you have been misquoted. l still have faith in your ability to relieve the local coal situation,
 Inasmuch as this letter owes its birth to you being quoted as above in
 Continued on Eleventh Page.)