New-York tribune., 1922-08-11
City Warned
Coal anime
Is Impending g
Fuel Commission Calls
ON Domestic Users to
Save Now, as Frost Will
Bring Acute Shortage


strike is going to mean to the house
hold as well as to industry next winter
was contained In information that
came from Washington to the State
Fuel Commission yesterday on the poll
icy that will be followed by the fuel
administration. This was that alloca-
tions Of coal will be made only in cases
Of great need, and then the black dia-
monds will be bestowed in fractional
quantities while the miners lay-off
continues.
AS for emergency allotments. these
will be made only when some impor-
tant public utility, such as water
power plant, has burned up all but a
weeks supply or less of coal and has
no more in sight. For the rest, the
Washington message said, public
utility or an essential industry that
has on hand two weeks tonnage will
be considered fortunate and we'll fixed
for fuel.
The message was received by tele-
phone in reply to batch Of urgent re-
quests for coal sent to Washington by
messenger.
Anthracite Even Scarcer
With this condition prevailing in the
soft coal situation, where some produc-
tion, is going forward in non-union
mines,- il Is evident that anthracite,
which is not being produced and upon
which the householder and apartment
owner depend for fuel, will be even
scarcer. In this connection. Eugenius
Fl. outerbridge, chairman Of the Gov.
yesterday that the public take economy
measures at once.
Everybody, Mr.. Outerbridge said,
must save every Bit OF coal possible
for the winter. People who have coal
now must understand that there is go
ing to be a great dearth after frost
comes, and must conserve their sup
plies for cold weather. This advice
cannot be emphasized too much.
Some measure Of relief can be fur
nished 20 houses and apartments by
substituting soft coal for anthracite,
and the commission recommends that
the city suspend for the period OF the
shortage the anti-smoke ordinance.
This will enable any one to use bitum-
inous coal even If the chimney is not
equipped with a smoke consumer, as
the law requires. Many big apart
ments have these devices installed,
but in the great majority Of cases there
are none, and it would take long time
to install all that might be needed,
and many would be Left without heat in
the mean time.
Commission Advises Substitutes
The commission is advising every
any substitute for coal that Is avail
able, such as wood in fireplaces and
kerosene in oil stoves.
The B. R. T. had but five days. coal
supply in its bunkers yesterday, ac-
cording to w. S. Menden, general man
ager. The company will be able to re
plenish at once, however, as steamers
have brought about two weeks sup
ply from England. The lnterborough
is in slightly better shape and has
also ordered large tonnages in Eng
land.
The railroads, It was learned yes
terday, have begun communicating
coal in transit. The amount of coal
that comes to market will depend
upon how much the railroads can OBJ
tain to keep running. They are In
the preferred class for coal, known as
class g. Class Is reserved for
emergencies. In the reports made to
Washington, one road said it had but
three days coal on hand, another
four, and out of 100000 tons Of nom
union bituminous mined last week the
railroads took 100000 to keep run
ming. The New Haven Railroad al
ready has bought four or five cargoes
of foreign coal to supplement its do
mestic supplies.
The Department Of Health is inves-
tigating the condition Of hospitals and
other public institutions and prepar-
ing to take charge Of distributions Of
fuel to them If necessary. Hospitals
will receive first consideration when
Federal allotments are received.