The New York herald., 1922-12-22
s1o,OOO,OOo is. INTACT
Crisis Which Legislature
Foresaw Now Passed and
Money Is Not Needed.
PROFITEERING STOPPED
Fuel Chief Takes No Respon-
sibility for appointment of
Samuel j. Drummond.

Cs LII
William II. Woodin, State F'uell Ad-
ministrator, disclosed interesting facts
concerning coal conditions, local, State
and national, when he appeared VOL
unfairly yesterday in the Flatbush
Magistrates Court and testified under
oath.
His appearance was ut the request
OF Loring M. Black, Jr.. Representa-
tive-elect, who is attorney for a Brook
lyn property owner accused of failing
10 supply heat and hot water 10 his
tenants.
The fuel chief said this State enjoys
its full 60 per cent. quota of last years
anthracite supply and that virtually
every municipality and community
had been receiving its just allotment.
The s10,o0O,oO0 revolving fund ap-
propriated by the Legislature last Sep
tember for emergency use at the dis
cretion of the Fuel Administration re-
mains practically intact, said Mr..
Woodin, because the crisis which i'm
PEELED it's authorization has passed
IF I had $40. o.s00," he went on,
Il couldn't obtain more coal for the
State than it has right now
Hard Coal 40 Per Cent. short.
Mr. Woodin emphas sized that through
out the United States there. is a 40 per
cent shortage OF anthracite It's dis
tribution. speaking nationally, is pri-
Jnarily in the hands of the Operators
Anthracite Commission, appointed by
Gov. Sproul of Pennsylvania. That body
Yields far greater power in the original
apportionment of the coal than any
State Administration.
My Instructions" said Mr.. Woodirl.
have been for the local administrators
20 obtain as much coal as possible and
employ every possible means to per-
suade consumers that the partial use
of domestic anthracite substitutes is
and will continue to be absolutely
necessary"
In answer to question, Mr.. Woodin
said the amount of coal in dealers yards
is ascertained every day
Samuel J. Drummond, Deputy Admin
istrator for Brooklyn and Queens, who
has been much criticized, was in court.
but was not called to testify OF Mr.
Drummond's capabilities, Mr.. Woodin
said he had little personal knowledge.
nor did he know that Mr.. Drummond
was secretary of the Brooklyn Coal Ex-
change Mr. Drummond is an appointee
Of Mr. Learoyd. who receives instruc-
tions from the State Administrators and.
IN turn, passes them on to his district
officials. Mr.. woodin said Mr.. Learoyd
was chosen city administrator because
Of his proved ability.
Why Is 1t that coal depots for sales
TO small consumers We're not established
until recently?" asked Mr. Black Mr..
Woodin explained that the hitherto mild
winter had postponed the necessity for
them.
Little Profiteerfng in City.
Regarding prices the examiner
wanted to know why maximum prices
for anthracite at retail had not been
fixed. The witness said Il was thought
that the establishing of maximum
price would tend to bring all prices up
I TO that level, whereas. because whole
salers nave to pay varying prices for
their stocks. retail charge which
might be fair for one might be exorbl-
tant for another.
What is a fair profit on q Aton oc
coal?', asked Mr. Black.
Three dollars and half ton, in
cluding all overhead expenses"
Are dealers asking exnrbitant prices %
Yes. few are, but the results of
an investigation disclosed surprisingly
satisfactory conditions in that respect.
Those found prolteering are called to
the attention OF the District Attorney.
But our job primarily Is to get and
apportion coal, not to become involved
IN litigation. The city Is remarkably
clean so far as prohteering is con-
cerned."
rs II possible for one locality TO OBJ
tain more coal than another BY Offering
higher prices?'
because the towns and cities watch each
other too closely"
state Avoiding Gofng In Business.
what amount OF coal has Brooklyn
hadY"
~ do not know exactly, but the
borough Is getting its 60 per cent.
quota"
why not use the sfo.ooo.oOO firnd for
buying coal from England. Wales or
elsewhere abroad"
I'VE do not want the State 10 20 into
the coal business That would only in
tensfy competition and raise prices.
Furthermore, Welsh coal has been
brought here and was found to be un-
salable
Mr.. Woodin testified that he was ne
Eotiating for additional coal. the source
OF which he would not disclose lest 1t
spoil his chances. He doubted whether
Herbert Hoover. Secretary of Com
mefce. would have authority to fix ma
tiorui coal prices. and he said he never
had been told that a certain New York
anthrac cite dealer had contributed TO the
support OF the miners while they were
on strike.
Emile w. Kahn, Mr. Woodin's execu-
tive assistant. denied that Rubel Bros,
in East New York. had immense guam
titles OF coal which they held at high
prices. lie testified that this firm had
bought considerable quantities of ''in-
dependent" coal. the price Of which had
not been fixed at the mine fields
Magistrate Eilperin adjourned the
hearing.
LOADED COAL BARGE SINKS.
THE barup Mary NtfuIta loadad ,.fti