New-York tribune., 1922-12-18
Miller Urged
To Sell Coal
AT Cost Now
tcsstlsuss frs- psbs zee,

has on two occasions within recent
vcars created conditions from lack OF
fuel in the tenement districts Of New
York which no one can calmly con-
template having repeated on q larger
scale The message recommended "a
the Legislature q single-headed ad.
nlnis.ratiou 70 supervise, requisite and
control the distribution, use, sale and
price Of all fuel.
The Law passed AZ the extraordinary
session incorporated every suggestion
in your message. II created state
fuel administrator, appointed By the
Governor, with complete power over
All fuel within the state and with the
duty Of ssesrtaining the needs o. all
localities and all consumers. The fuel
administrator was also given the duty
of hxinR prices and regulating the
sale, distribution, allotment and ration.
ing Of fuel, preventing waste OF fuei
and limiting the production, distribu-
tion and use OF light. heat and poTer.
He was given the power, personally
ard through his deputies, 70 make and
enforce rules, subposns witnesses
enter and inspect premises and in
speet books and records. he was given
he power 10 seize fuel and sell II 10
licensed dealers and 20 compel the
cooperation Of ofieers and depart
meats In every agency Of government,
state or local.
~The Fuel Administrstor was also
given the power 70 appoint and remove
as many deputies and employees As ne
needed without reference 20 civil serT-
ice and fx their compensaton. lhere
was appropriated tho sum OF slO'O0O,-
900, with which the Fuel Administrator,
with the consent Of the Governor, could
buy and sell coal for public or private
consumption without being subject 10
the state finance law.
~In the words Of the law, the Fuel
Aduainistrator may do all things nee
essary 70 secure to consumers an
equitable distribution Of available fuel
at reasonable rates
"Your foruard-lookine message and
tho law passed at the extraordinary
session met with widespread approval.
The peonle believed that an impending
peril bad been braveiy met
There may be sections Of the state
in which there has been no occasion
20 use the extraordinary powers
granted in the fuel law. However. IN
the City Of New York there can be no
question about the serious Situation
into which We have been plunged b.
.he failure % the state fuel admins
tration 70 function, as the Legislature
and the people Of the state expected
that it would.
"Unfortunately, IL appears that there
has been no systematic effort 70 aseer-
tain the needs Of the people and 70
ration coal 90 that every one has
fair share. No use has been made OF
the large funds granted to the fuel ad-
ministration for the purchase and sale
OF coal directly or through local
sgeneiee."
Mr.. Woodinb reply 70 Senator
Straus. made public a. his home, 7b2
Park Avenue, follows
Through the courtesy Of the press
I have read your letter 10 Governor
Miller, which you are giving wide pub
lIcity, dehounrinR the NeT York State
Fuel Administration.
There 10 q shortage Of approximate
Is 40 per cent Of domestic sizes Of
anthracite which cannot be made up
this winter. The reluetanee Of the
public 70 order substitutes during the
fall has 20 complicated the situation
that the dealers were unable instantly
70 cope with the situation when the
rush began.
"The Mayors committee Of women,
under Mrs. Hearst and Mrs. Henry,
have struggled with the problem Of
the poor with considerable success.
The earnest and experienced stsff Of
the administration hss been obtaining
and spreading as equitably ss possible
the proportion Of coal allotted to this
state from the national supply. The
prospects for relief during the next
ten days are bright.
"But we still are open 20 assistance
and II you are really In earnest urge
that you come to my once in the fuel
administration At 10 o'clock Tuesday
morning, IL possible, prepared TO ac-
cept an appointment as one Of our
members, where / can assure you there
Is opportunity for great public service
and where you will find q cordial re-
ception.
II would ask you 10 begin with us
tomorrow, but duty takes me to Penn
sylvania for the day. Yours very
/ trur-v. "WILIIAM II. WOODINb