New-York tribune., 1922-08-30
Miller Seeks
Big Man for
Fuel Dictator

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tGeatiaHsd nam pzsa ess)
Office it can only come out again by
legislative act, and once This session
adjourns it will be impossible to pass
any enabling acts of this sort"
Hewitt Defends Appropriation
Senator Hewitt, sponsor Of the bill
in the upper House and chairman Of
the Senate Finance Committee, an
swered this by saying that the re-
volving fund provided for in the bill
was on all fouxs with the revolving
fund in the State Highways Depart
ment and that no one ever questioned
the constitutionality Of the latter.
"That may be true" said Senator
Walker, s"but after all, this bill dses
not hit at the root Of the evil. The
State Of New YORK cannot function in
this regard. The whole root of the
trouble lies in the arbitrary actions
of the coal barons. They can only be
reached by President Harding and the
Federal government, bat The Federal
be an anaemic creature, has refused to
act. The only way TO reach the cpcr-
ators is through the national govern
ment. But unfortunately we have at
Washington a Rip Van Wrinkle Ad-
rsinistration IA that has power, but lacks
the disposition to exercise it
While this bill may do consider
able economic and social good, The
action OF this extraordinary session
will not disguise the fact that the
source of al! this trouble is in Wash
ington and that Washington has re-
fused to act. This bill enables the
State Fgsl administrator to SO into
ones cellar and seize the surplus stock
of coal therein. The Federal govern
ment should not hesitate TO do like
wise with the source of all coal and
take possession Of the mines
Walker Offers Amendments
Senator Walker then offered the
minority amendments One of these
provided for the establishment of mu-
nicipslly owned and operated bus sys-
TENS and the other called for the ex-
tension of New York City's capacity to
issue bonds for from two to FIVE million
dollars annually. The vote on the lat
ter was sixteen ayes and thirty-thFee
noes. Folsr Republicans voted with the
Democrats on this measure. They were
Senators Lockwood. Katlin and Harris,
Of Brooklyn, and TolSert, of Manhst-
tan. The amendment providing for
municipal busses was ruled SIS not
pertinent TO the bill before the Legis-
iature, and therefore could not be con-
sidered.
Senator Walker then offered an
amendment permitting the municipali-
ties of the state to buy and cell coal
during the emergency. The Repabli-
cans argued that adopfion os this
amendment would result not only in
q conflict in sashositv, hut in such
ruinors competitive bidding as to de-
stsoy one Of she principal purposes of
the act--the prevention of gouging By
prohtearing coal dealers. This amend
ment was defeated by vote of 35 noes
to Is ayes. Senator Lockwood was the
only Republican who voted for this
amendment.
0deli Not Consulted
Senator Abram + Katlin. Of Erook-
iyn, Republican, offered an amendment
naming x-Goyernor BENJAMIN B. Odsil
es Fuel Administrator. Friends of
Governor Miller were somewhat mysti1s
ned by this move and were Inclined to
vote y Tor it until Senator George r.
qnlred of Senator Katlin:
Did you confer with Mr.. OSeiI he.
fore you introduced this amendya.,4 -,
ne Will serve, replied Katlin eva
r !, Did you confer with him % persisted
Fearon. - 'Su
Katlin. 80 setss' answered
Dad ..l ne tell you he would serye..
. No. said Katlin. ebut | was told
~ = some 30 one in whom ] hava faithafhat
Mr.. Odell would serys.'' = 'i'A
Only six for Amendment
The Katlin amendment was t4afsst-
ed by vote of al to g.. Senator Sas.
satore VA A. Cotillo then offered an
aa1nsnament g = providing that SNctinn
2,o4i OF the Penal Code--one as ~ =
lockwood Housing Committee Iaws
should bs exempted from any rulings
shat might be made by She State Fuel
ausi,llhassrasion. il Senator Lockwood
spGke IN favor Of this amendment.
wien, ne explained, made it a penal
oHense for landlords willfully to nns..
lect or TO refuse to provide hsat sar
tneir e.e tenants. Most Of the New York
City Republicans voted with She mi
nority for this amendment. wh;ch was
defeated by 81 TO 81. 80 " -
After the Legislature adjourned Gov
egnor Miller was asked il the centen-
tien of the minority that Section s0s1
should nave been exempted from IN.
sssprefaslen by the Fuel Administers
tor WAS sound.
II ia not sound.. said the Gavarnar
mere IS no canffies whatever. The
law is merely Strengthened nut
ianclord wiilfaliy neglecting or re9us-
Ing 20 provide hest For HIS tenants i
guilty of . penal ossense under the
e. penal Coee The situation might arise
Where there would be no coal. and ~
course. the landlord cannot M AI, ~ Is
guilty Of willfpily negIsctsnr to Ssa nya.
vide heat. Such cases VIII ia asosasa
upen the facts. There is ncthinv IN
me Jesse bill that conflicts with she
nousang law. 1t simply removes tbe
possibility. Of a landiSrd, for instanee. sss
claiming that he faced jail Tor obev,nc
M "a u - "a .