New-York tribune., 1922-12-18
Straus Calls ON Governor
to Utilize $lO,O0O,OOO
Appropriated for Relief
at Extraordinary Session
WoOdin, Criticized,
Offers Him a Job
Administrator Failing to
Learn Needs as the City
Suffers, Asserts Senator

Governor Miller was asked yesterday
by Senator Nathan Straus jr. 10 relieve
the coal crisis IN this city By making
available immediately the si0,000,o0O
appropriated by the Legislature at the
extraordinary session IN August FOR
the purchase Of coal by the state and
it's resale at cost 10 the people.
Senator Strauss request was en-
bodied in a letter 70 the Governor,
made public last night. The letter de-
clared the Governors thought in call.
ing the Legislature into extraordinary
session for the sole purpose Of creating
the State Fuel Administration TO re-
lieve distress due 70 the coal crisis had
not been put into actor. by tho State
Fuel Administration, and that, as a
consequence, the city was suffering.
an the city Of New York." said SEN
ator Straus, "thero can be no question
about the serious situation into which
we have been plunged By the failure Of
the State Fuel Administration to fune-
tion as the Legislature and the people
Of the state expected IL would"
The response to Senator Strauss
charge Of failure was prompt II was
made by William II. Woodin, Stats
Fuel Administrator, who announced
last night he had invited Senator
straus to accept an appointment as a
member Of his staf.
Senator Strsus characterized the
message Of Governor Miller to the Leg
islature which brought about the en-
aetment Of the state fuel administra-
tion act az forward looking"
City's Situation Serious
ave are facing a coal crisis in the
city to-day" continued the Senator. Il
have on my desk this morning hun
dreds o. letters from people who say
they are In urgent need Of coal. By
Far the largest number are from peo-
pic psho say they do rot want charity,
but DO waff 20 kes. 4 iitft t1ss can
obtains ths coal tbey needfin their
homes for immediate use at prizes they
can afford 20 pay. s.,
H1nquiry from any one Of the social
welfare agencies or individuals who
have the slightest familiarity With the
situation will convince you. / believe,
of the demand for the immediate ex-
oreise By the Fuel Administration Of
those powers Of rationing and Of buy
ing and selling Of fuel which we're
conferred upon II by law"
Senator Straus declared the city was
confronted with a situation with which
no one man or small group Of men could
cope. lie said that unless the Fuel
Administration at once began TO fune-
ton, as contemplated by Governor
Miller and the law, "it would be nee
essary that the citizens organize 10
protect themselves"
Organized Relief Committee
Senator Strauss interest In the stu
alton took practical shape some weeks
AGO when he organized and financed
t6e straOs coal committee 20 take care
Of cases Of distress called 20 his at
tention. In informing Governor Miller
OF his action Senator Straus said;
"Early this winter appeals for assist
snce in obtaining eoal were sent TO me
from some Of my less fortunate neigh
bors. A small committee was organ
led. Of which ] became chairman, 70
take care OF the most urgent cases. l
supplied the funds, which were spent
Nth the assistance OF Michael r:
Burns. Of Burns Bros, for the relief OF
actual suffering.
sTnvestioation of numerous eases IN
eo-oneratlon with charitable and vel.
fsre organizations Of the city confirmed
our heiief that suffering was vide-
.J 7 asked the Fuel Administrator
49, Ear he was prepared 70 assist IN
-eiievIng the evident distress. He re-
elied in substance, that he was unaoie
- hsin I thefeupon conferred with
sescjsi and unofficial agencies and witn
~ nd;tors Of several New YORK news
a.srs in an effort to evolve com
Rshen.ive plan for meeting the sitya.
-. THE suggestion was MADE tnss
sn.d. he obtained By private suoscnp,,
- tnr the buying Of coal in carload
~. snd selling II In 100-pound lots ~
.I.' nv ssrioad price. The newspapers Of
ssyed 70 cooperate In such moVe-
ment."
Complete Power Given
III. Senator says he then again con-
- covernor Miller'S message 70
a. T.oislsture At the extraordinary
session last August ana hi' 'e''''
continues; .-.....d that
aIn that msssage It was stated snss se
unless the state intervenss tnose wy
nav most will be served hrst NhsIsss
M least. able must be our ht-t eons
Germ, for they are to'alsy unp.
10 cope with the fuel shoIss,, ;n-
.id,y.. lIe the public health and the gen zen
volts ~sItsre The temporary inter-
cns a.,or of transportation due 70 ter
ruPtion nOd,tions In New York Harbor
''''' tcssunv,d On Vss' ''O')