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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)