New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1922-08-09
Legislature To BE Called
Into Session, Probably
Aug. %, to Take Steps
for Protecting Public
Price and Supply
Will Be Watched
Prison Sentences Planned
for Gougers; Industries
Will BE Kept Running
By Denis Tilden Lynch

LAKE GEORGE, n. Y, Aug. s-Gov-
ernor Miller informed The Tribune to-
night that he would convoke the Legis-
lature in extraordinary session for the
purpose OF creating the office Of state
fuel Administrator, who will be clothed
with ample powers TO fix the price OF
coal and control It's distribution.
The Governor will issue the call
probably not later than next Monday
The legislators in all likelihood will
be listening to the Governors special
message urging them to pass the act
creating the office OF commissioner not
later than August %.
Need Is Imperative. Says Miller
at Is imperative that the Legislature
be summoned without delay in extra
session." said the Governor. "The State
Coal Commission, which / recently np-
pointed TO aid In the present situation.
Is without any real powers, and only
an act Of the Legislature can create a
fuel administrator clothed with the
necessary powers TO deal with the
situation.
"Thc fuel Administrator must be
empowered not only 10 FIX prices. but
20 control distribution so that there
shall be a fair and equitable appor-
tionment OF the coal supply
IL is the Governors intention that
there shall be no gouging by coal deal
ers during the fall and winter. Not
only is ho determined that there shall
be a fair distribution so that the city
dwelIeTs, whether they obtain their
coal By the bag from a cellar merchant
or arc dependent upon the plant OF an
expensive apartment house, may be
supplied. but he also is bent on seeing
that the price shall be fixed By the
state and that that price shall be
maintained.
Tho act creating the state fuel ad-
ministrator will have real teeth In IT,
so that the Governors idea as 10 how
the situation shall be handled will be
carried out
Prison TO Menace Vlolators
Heavy prison sentences and fines
that hurt will be provided in the act.
Under il the householder and the own
ers Of industries dependent on coal
will bo assured a fair deal. To safe
guard the coal supply Of the shops and
factories on which wage earners and
their families are dependent will be an
equally big task which tho state fuel
administrator will have 20 face. To
give the industrial plants the needed
supply OF coal is considered By Gov
crnor Miller 20 be OF almost equal i'm
portanee 10 provid'ng heat in the
homes. A partial 'autting down OF In
dustries as the rssult OF coal short
age or an unequal distribution OF fuel
among the plants such as would be al
most certain 10 happen without State
control would work untold hardships
on the workers. and this the Governor
is determined TO prevent II II IS posi-
bic 10 do so.
The coal crisis has been concerning
the Governor for several weeks and mas
been the subject OF several informal
conferences with his advisers. The ap-
pointment Of the State Coal Commits
sion to act pending developments among
the warning factions was MS hrst ae.
toward having the state government
ready 10 meet any problem that may
confront it.
The Governor had just returned from
a davis fishing on the lake when he
talked 20 The Tribune representative.
lie was optimistic in the belief that
the mining Of coal will be resumed
speedily.
"Wili the Legislature consider any
other legislation beyond the act Great
ing the state fuel administrator ne
was asked.
~ shall not submit anything else 70
H." replied the Governor.