The New York herald., 1922-08-27
COPELAND INSISTS
ON HEAT IN HOUSES
Will Not Modify Rulings in
Coal Shortage if Profit
eering Develops.

Landlords will be held strictly to ac-
count during this winters coal shortage
in furnishing tenants with adequate heat
and hot water.
Royal S. Copeland. Health Commits
sioner, had hardly stepped from the
gangplank of the France on his return
from Europe when he issued this en-
phatic reply yesterdy to the demnd OF
the Real Estate Board of New York
that punitive sumptuary legislation
against the landlord for not furnishing
heat or hot water should be modified
or repealed during existing conditions.
The board contended ''the tenant has
ample civil remedy. and no landlord
should be put into jail for not doing i'm
possible things
"The law does not hold a club over
the head of the decent landlord but
over the head of the shyster landlord
who would profiteer at a time like
this" declared the Commissioner. THE
law is more important than ever. Land
lords can get fuel by paying for it."
To Use Discretion in Ban.
suspension OF the antl-S1lOhe OIui-
nance, as recommended by the Board of
Aldermen this week. would not be so
effective as reasonable" enforcement,
according to the Health Commissioner.
He indicated he would not lift the ban.
as suggested, but would administer the
ordinance with discretion.
Soft coal is not mentioned in the
language OF the code" he reminded
Smoke Is the only thing at issue"
MI ho
declared after the first freeze as soon
as Jack of fuel endangers health, Com
missioner Copeland warned. This
would make him absolute dictator in the
Greater City, he described, with author
ity to sequester every pound of coal In
dealers yards or private bins and divert
II to points cf greater need. He did not
think such communicating would dis
courage shipments from mines.
WIN Help Governors Aids.
During such emergency he would be
senior not only to Mayor Hylan but to
any State Fuel Administrator. he agreed.
but he gave assurance of full coopera-
ton with Miller administration ap-
pointees
1--WE won't be obstructionists." he
said. "When public health is involved
it is a non-partisan question"
The Real Estate Board preferred
state to municipal control during the
shortage. =.
Legislative bodies of municipalities"
it's statement read. should not be per-
mitted to enforce such ordinances pre-
viously adopted.
"Drastice wartime powers should be
given to Gov. Miller's proposed fuel ad-
minsitrator. on the other hand. Func-
,tfili
those supplying gas and electric light.
should receive preferential guarantees.
legislative obstacles to unrestricted use
OF soft coal should be removed
would Lift Restrictions.
Meanwhile the Governors Advisory
Fuel Commission here was asking FED
eral Fuel Distributor Spencer to lift re-
strictions on shipment of soft coal that
screened smaller than four inches.
New York will have 10 depend on
bituminous coal for all household pur-
poses this winter" the telegram stated.
I'VE need all we can get As we cannot
get prepared bituminous dealers are pre-
pared to do their own screening"
Protest against communicating OF
hard coal In transit by railroads for their
own uses was made by the State COM
mission in another telegram In behalf OF
bakers sent to the Interstate Commerce
Commission. Such stocks OF anthracite
as remained in mining regions. 1t was
pointed out were not being shipped In
fear OF such confiscation. special rul-
ing to prohibit seizure was asked.
Fund of Several Millions.
That the fund Gov Miller will ask of
the special session of the Legislature to
finance the purchase of coal for public
distribution at cost will run into several
millions of dollars was reported here
last night.
The new fuel administrator will be
clothed with drastic but general au-
thority, 1t was said. so he will be un-
hampered by technicalities in the full
filment of his work. No effort has been
made In the measure Gov. Miller has
drafted to pin him down to detailed
tasks, according to reports. Gov. Mil
ler's message as whole has been COM
pleted, has gone to the printers. and
will be ready for distribution to the
legislators tomorrow night.
Murray Hubert, Acting Mayor. has
called a meeting of local merchants to
confer on coal tomorrow at City Hall,
II was announced yesterday by w. De
s. Trenholme. secretary of the Retail
Dry Goods Association.
Bronx coal dealers were subpoenaed
by j. Alderman. Acting District At
torney, to appear at a special session of
the August Grand Jury Wednesday to
go over all phases Of the coal situation
sufficiently in advance of cold weather.
Advises Against Alarm.
There Ia no occasion for people to get
nervous about coal for the household
this winter" advised the State Coal
Commission yesterday. There will be
plenty OF Il. but 1t will be soft coal. 1t
IL dirty to handle, but It will save the
day.
However, we must learn to use II.
and get some into our cellars and begin
to use Il at once.
1--WE don't want the people OF this
State 10 he standing In a fuel line next
winter with cards calling for bag of
coal. 1t won't be necessary if they are
forehanded now.
"Get some soft coal Immediately. Get
acquainted with II.
1--WE don't want a lot of wild eyed
people rushing around the first really
cold day next winter saying that they
can't get soft COAL or they cant keep
their families from freezing with the
soft coal they have"
The Berwind Coal Company sold inn
mediately TO three consumers 2.270 tons