New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1922-07-22
Board Offers
Ships tOBring
British Coal
$50 Available, Capable of
Carrying 2 Million Tons a
Month, LaskerAnnOunces,
as Shortage Grows Acute
Many Seeking Charters
Railroads and Public Utility
Corporations AIreadyTurn
to Europe for Supplies

to Europe Tor supplies
Five hundred and fifty ships, capa-
bic Of bringing over 100000 tons OF
coal a month from Great Britain Is
the contribution which the Shipping
Board Is ready 20 make TO relieve the
shortage here, officials said yesterday
in New York. Chairman A. D. Lasker
declared that the government vessels
are available for any who wish them
at a rate as low as seven shillings
ton. or about $3.50. Thirteen steamers
Of 10000 tons were chartered 20 ship
pers yesterday for the movement.
Inquiry among coal dealers devel-
oped the fact that orders have been
placed within the last three days for
more than 100000 tons Of British coal
and other contracts are being signed
steadily. This amount Is TO be deliv-
cred in New York between August l
and Is nj a cost Of 81 TO $40 a ton on
board ship in the harbor Il is report
ed that the concerns ordering most OF
this were the Laekawanna and New
Jersey Central railroads. the INTERIOR
ough. the New York Edison Company
and sugar refners.
Steamship officials said yesterday
that sufficient coal can be brought here
from Great Britain 10 meet the short
age on all public utilities and 70 insure
against trouble in the city. The ar
rival Of 100000 tons a month, IL was
said. would strain the facilities FOR I'M
loading at the port. but the opinion
was expressed that this difficulty could
be met.
The Shipping Board Offices a. IS
Broadway were jammed with importers
and representatives Of Industrial con-
Germs seeking 10 charter ships. Morris
Maxim. chartering executive for the
board. and J. B. Smull, viec-presldent
Of the Emergency Fleet Corporation,
were busy with a large waiting line.
II was one Of the busiest days which
they had experienced since the depres-
sion in shipping set in two years ago.
-Four Hundred Idle Ships Available
Mr.. Smull said that the Shipping
Board now has 1877 ships in the North
Atlantic trade which can be used with
in a short period 20 transport coal. or
this number more than fifty are near
English ports and can be diverted az a
few hours notice. II necessary, he
added. 400 additional vessels can be
taken from the idle feet within thirty
days.
Mr. smull was asked II the board
anticipated any difficulty with long
shoremen In unloading foreign ship
ments.
''Not BIT" he replied. you must
remember that the British coal Is
mined by union men,
An attempt was made yesterday %
get the attitude Of officials Of the In
tornational Longshoremen's Associa-
ton, whose members would be called
upon 20 unload the vessels az New
York. At the Offices Of the associa-
ton, IL Moore Street. a young woman
said that Anthony J. Chlopok, presi-
dent, was out Of the city and would
not return until Tuesday. She refused
10 say where he was.
Inquiry among officials Of harbor
coal lines showed that the floating
equipment used in unloading coal is
capable Of handling only about 10000
tons day. but the cargo ships could
discharge about GOO tons a day with
their own machinery. Il is improbable.
they said, that there would be any
difficulty in getting the fuel of the
ships.
Rush for English Careoes
For several weeks the price OF coal
at New York has been high enough
10 give a profit 20 importers OF British
shipments, but dealers hcsitated %
place orders. IL was feared that the
strike would be settled before the two
weeks necessary TO get the ships
across the Atlantic had passed. Re-
cent developments In both the mine
and rail strike. with the probability
that the existing conditions would be
extended for some time, led 70 a sharp
reversal Of opinion, with the result that
there is now a rush 10 get cargoes from
England.
The coal situation occupied the at
tention Of the Shipping Board officials
TO 4 large extent yesterday. In addi-
ton 20 Chairman Lasker and Mr Smull.
" B. Keene and other members OF
the Washington staff were here. ". J.
Love. vice president in charge OF traf-
&c, who returned IN the morning from
Europe, informed the board that the
amount Of coal available In British
ports for shipment TO the United States
was sufficient 10 meet All domandq