New-York tribune., 1922-08-30
Seeks
Big Man for
Fuel Dictator
No Choice Expected for
Two Days; Both Houses
Pass Emergency Bill
With No Dissenting Vote
From o star correapondsnt


Albany, Ang. Speculation ne
TO who Will be named State Fuel Ad.
mlnistrstor is engaging the attention
OF legislators tonight following the
passing by the Legislature to-day Of
Governor Miller's bill creating this Of
nee and placing at the disposal Of the
administrator s10,00o00o fund for
purchase and distribution of fuel. Tho
Dili received the unanimous vote cf
both houses. the first time in the men,
ofy OF those familiar with state affairs
that measure of such importance
passed without dissenting vote.
The Assembly, on motion, of Assem-
blyman George N. Jesse, of Manhattan
first acted on the measure Numerous
atter9pts by the minority TO amend IL
were defeated. Then all united in
voting for the bill.
The Assembly measure, which bears
the name of Asemblyman Jesse. then
went to the Senate. There it was sub
stltuted for the companion bill intro
duced by Senator Charles J. Hewitt,
OF Locke. Again tho minority in the
upper house offered amendments Ia
tne bill. These were defeated and the
Dill itself put to a vote with the
Miller Signs Without Comment
The Senate passed the Jesse bill M
2.20. The extraordinary session of the
Legislature then adjourned sine die. At
o'clock tonight, after the bill came
from the hands of the engrosser, Gov
arnor Miller affixed his signature To
it. making it the law of the state. The
Governor did not issue any statement
to accompany his signature.
just now the Governor is trying 20
find man big enough to act as Fuel
administrator, which both Democrats
and Republicans join in characterizing
as the biggest Job that any man in this
state has yet been called upon 10 mr.
The Governor would like to have
Eugenius II. 0uterbridgc. who is chair
man of the Temporary Fuel Admins
tration Board, appointed few weeks
ago by the Governor, to function until
the Legislature could meet and create
the Office of State Fuel Administrator
| and confer upon 1t plenary powers to
control and regulate the use, distribu-
ton and sale Of fuel. to fsx prices and
to seize fuel and sell the same for the
public interest where he deems II
necessary. Mr.. Outerbridge Is un-
available because of i'll health. All
other names so far mentioned have
been pure guesswork on the part of
outsiders.
The Governor tonight said that II
probably would be two days before he
hit upon choice. His friends say
that up to the moment he has been un-
| able to find any man capable of filling
| the place who IS in position to ac-
| cept.
Minority Praise Governor
During the debate on the bill in both
houses the Democrats had nothing but
praise for the motives Of the Governor
and the purposes of the bill. Under
the leadership of Assemblyman Charles
D. Donahue and Senator James 3
Walker the minority sought to make
political capital out of the coal crisis
by attacking the Harding Administra-
tion for failing to seize the coal mines
| This is a genuine emergency, with
! out Doubt said Senator Walker. the
! Democratic leader of the unper house
| 1T is obviously the wish Of the major
| lty that this measure aow before as
| shall have immediate action to relieve
the people of the state. No one will
| object to that. I've endeavored with.
out avail to have action delayed SO
I that amendments | have in view could
| be acted upon, 1t will not profit us
that this bill be found unworkable OF
undesirable. believe that the revolv.
ing fund OF S10,o00,000 intended TO,
the purchase Of coal may be v;olative
| of Section 21 Of Article III Of the state
| constitution. believe that once
money reaches the State Treasurer's
| nit4d an ne.