August 5, 1922





RECORD   AND   GUIDE





167





REAL   ESTATE   SECTION





Must Use Coal Sparingly in View of Shortage in Stocks

Buildin.g Managers' and Owners' Association Urges Strict Economy Until Crisis Is
Passed After Canvass Showing Small Amount in Storage





STRICT economy in the use of coal is urged by the Build¬
ing Managers and Owners Association in view of the
serious situation now confronting the nation. The Fuel
Committee of the Association, of which J. L. Hernon is chair¬
man, has canvassed the city to determine the amount of coal
on hand and the possibilities of obtaining further supplies.

Mr. Hernon declared that the coal situation, just now so
far as it concerns office buildings and apartment houses in this
city, is uncertain.

"We are hoping for the best," he said. "Some phases of the
outlook are dubious. About fifty per cent, of the properties
represented in our Association have coal enough to last ihree
months. Most buildings have bin capacity for no more than
that period. Most of the coal now stored by apartment houses
is for the maintenance of their hot water supply. The winter
supply for heating purposes is now the great question. Will
the mining troubles that have caused the shortage be adjusted
satisfactorily?    It remains to be seen.

"If we cannot get the kind of coal we usually use we shall
have to take anything we can get, even soft coal, if necessary.
I think that the property owners of New York ought to peti¬
tion President Harding about the matter and thereby drive
home to him the imperative situation confronting the largest
city in America. New York, in the regular order of things, re¬
ceives its coal supply last because it is closer to the source of
supply than some of the other large cities like Buffalo, Chicago,
Milwaukee, St. Paul and smaller towns adjacent to them. If
we receive our coal supply last, in the face of the pending sit¬
uation, winter will be pretty well over when we get it.

"The only sure thing is we will get some kind of coal, but
how much or how little we do not know. Some of the large of¬
fice buildings and apartment houses have outside storage
spaces for coal and cart it as they need it. Even some of 'hese
large bins are not full. Big buyers in this city are on the
lookout for anything and everything in the coal line they can
lay their hands on."

Charles F. Merritt, executive secretary of the Building Man¬
agers and Owners Association, says that the members of the
Association have been notified periodically since last winter
that the present conditions threatened and advised to carry in
their bunkers a supply sufficient to last not less than two
months.

"In many cases, however, it is impossible to carry such a
large amount of coal," said Mr. Merritt. "Consequently the
actual amount on hand in New York City is alarmingly imall
due to this limited storage capacity. Thus, although fore¬
warned, many consumers will soon find themselves in a diffi¬
cult situation not necessarily on account of any neglect on
their part but due to the operating conditions of their plants.

"The situation is so serious that our Association recommends
the strictest possible economy in the consumption of fuel until
this crisis is passed. This Association believes that the great¬
est possible publicity should be given to this matter as the
average citizen who is not a direct consumer of coal pays little
attention to this subject although he is the actual consumer
and would be the real  sufferer  in case  of a  coal  famine."

Mr.. Merritt suggests that tenants as well, as landlords are
vitally interested and' that they should take' concerted action
for their own protection to urge the settling of the strikes upon





fair and equable basis before winter brings the discom¬
fort and illness sure to result from cold or half heated living
quarters and business offices.

Respecting coal supplies on hand the following statements
made by representative realty men are enlightening:

J. Clarence Davies—"The outlook now is not bright. The
dealers promise pea coal only for autumn. But I believe that
the  situation  will improve."

Joseph Paterno—"We have all of our coal in for next win¬
ter. We started to haul it in the spring and early summer.
Most of the big apartment house owners followed the same
policy.    I believe the pending trouble will clarify itself soon."

Pease & Eliiman—"We think there is no occasion to get
worried. There is a slight shortage in domestic sizes, but coal
for steam heating purposes is ample in quantity, we are as¬
sured."

With a Federal rationing program under way it follows
that New York, being nearest to the source of coal, will be
served with supplies after the far-away regions of the country
receive their quota. As a partial offset to this New York has
the prospect of a considerable shipment of coal from England.
While a large part of this may be used for bunkering ships
it is believed that these cargoes may be depended on to re¬
lieve the local situation. The IJnited States Shipping Board is
reported to have ordered thirty-five steamships now idle into
the coal trade and has announced that 400 vessels, which could
transport 2,000,000 tons a month from Great Britain, are avail¬
able if the strike continues.

The most practical step taken by local authorities to relieve
New York is the appointment by Gov. Miller of the New York
State Emergency Coal Commission, of which E. H. Outerbridge,
chairman of the Port of New York Authority, is chairman.
The other members of the committee are: Gen. Lincoln C.
Andrews, Major Elihu C. Church, William A. Prendergast, Le
Roy T. Harkness and J. W. Leib. With reference to the gen¬
eral program of this committee Mr. Outerbridge announced
that the private consumer should have preference in the 'is-
tribution of coal. Then will come state and county institu¬
tions, such as courthouses, state hospitals and jails. Industries
will be  served last.

"The amount allotted to the various groups," said Mr. Outer-
bridge, "will depend on the allocation to New York State by
the United States government, but it does not seem possible
that there will be enough to go around satisfactorily.

"We hope to have one main committee whose members shall
represent the private consumer, public utilities, and state,
county and municipal needs. This committee will be headed by
a high-class executive and will have immediate power of allo¬
cation.

"Of course, Now York will have to be placed on a strict coal
rationing basis. Before imposing regulations to enforce this we
are waiting to see what action may be taken by Washington
officials and  what  their desire  in the matter may be.

"The householder will come first, however, and everything
possible will be done to see that he has a normal coal supply
this  winter.

"The committee decided that everything must be done to
prevent profiteering in coal. Coal will be kept at a reasonable
(Continued  on  page   169)