New-York tribune., 1922-08-17
End of Strike
Will Not Fill
N. Y !. Coal Bins
State Board Warns Public
Strict Ratioiiir,g Still Will
Be Necessary, as Mines
Can't Make Up for Loss
Aid by Congress Urged
Need Legislation 10 Enforce
Hoover Rules; Priority
Asked ON 100000 Toms.

announcements of strike settlements
by bituminous coal operators and the
miners union at Cleveland should not
lead people to believe that there are
prospects of plentiful supply of coal
this winter. it was said yesterday by
the Governors fuel commission. The
settlements SO far madesare with only
a small number of mine operators, the
commission pointed out. and, besides,
the settlement of the bituminous strike
does not mean that the anthracite
situation will be greatly relieved. The
WAS given yesterday when Chairman
Eugenuis Fl. Outerbridge teiegraphed
Washington for 100000 tons of soft
coal for general distribution.
The loss Of anthracite production
has been SO great, the commission said
yesterday, that normal conditions can
not be reached in these fields for at
least month after miners go back
to work. Therefore. the commission
urges consumers to- conserve fuel in
every way possible, bearing in mind
that from now until the winter Ia
ended coal can only be delivered in
permit and for immediate use. Filling
or two tons may be the limit.
Need Congressional Aid
In this connections, it was pointed
out by the commission yesterday, that
unless Congress comes TO the assist
ance Of Secretary Hoover the Federal
fuel administrator will be powerless to
enforce emergency rules.
The states that have organized fuel
Administrations to cooperate with the
Federal administrator must necessarily
look to the Federal official rs the center
of authority. Congress should provide
at once. it was said, adequate powers
to the administrator, as, without these
powers, the plan which Secretary
Hoover has tried to put into operation
cannot be made to, function in the
equitable distribution of coal at rea-
sonable prices.
1t is greatly to be hoped" the COM
mission stated, "that Mr.. Hoover will
without further delay present to Con-
gress definite legislation which he may
feel is necessary and without which,
according to his own published state
ment this morning, no system can func-
tion. and public opinion should make
this audible expression to Congress for
immediate action"
It was learned yesterday that one Of
men In putting Secretary Hoover's plan
into operation is the great number of
contracts which the coal operators have
on hand end whichy. under present ar
rangements, must be filled as soon as
the coal comes above ground. These
operators can obtain no authority at
present for filing priority orders for
warded to them from Washington, as
to ship coal on order before shipments
are made to those holding contracts
would be to make, themselves liable to
civil suits.
sf. Mines Require Time : 'l 81
Thus, far ondya small number of OPP
orators have signed agreements in the
bituHinous fields, representing a frae-
tion of the normal tonnage, but even
if all sign and the mines are put in
full operation it will be long time
before the production reaches its maxi
num- ~ss>. 81 s.es
The New York State Coal Merchants
Association yesterday gave out letter
which was sent to Governor Miller last
Friday. In pledging it's assistance in
the emergency the association opposes
any regulation of prices. Price regu-
lation will have the inevitable result,
it says, of slowing up production with
out thereby defeating profteers.
The association recommends that all
deliveries OF coal be proportioned
within practical limits according to
actual requirements and for immediate
consumption. The state should also
guard against duplication by consum-
ers ordering from several dealers. For
general police duty the association
suggests that committees of dealers
and citizens ascertain the needs of.
their communities and keep watch for
profiteers.