Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-06-03
Restrictions Have Reached Into
Every Home and Institu-
ton of Republic.
PRIVATIONS ARE EVERYWHERE
Civilization Set Back to Where
1t Was Two Genera
tons Ago.
By C.. r.

in "a way never before experienced
save in the case of actual siege. I'ri-
vations and restrictions have appeared
within the last three months that. in
many respects. have set civilization
back to where it uus two generations
ago.
The restrictions have affected every
man. no matter what his station. and
in all the phases of his life. from his
food TO his amuseinents aud his pleas
ures. from his habits Of cleanliness TO
his habit of taking meat with his even
ing meal.
Weli-to-do Americans living in Paris
who pay from $4,000 to $4,000 a year
rent for their apartments in the Avenue
Eois de B%oulogne or the Champs
k!ys.es. have been 'pinched' in the
general tightening of the situation as
we'll as the ordinary laborer gaining
his $50 d day.
MANY AMERICAN
FORCED OUT OF HOMES
One OF the former class. returning
TO his apartment in the evening, dis
covered that the elevator was not
running. He lived Oh the sixth floor
and was forced to toll up nearly roo
steps because of the restrictions on
coal. The elevator vas operated by
compressed air. To produce com
pressed air coal is required. The re-
suit has been to force many Americans
out of their homes and into hotels.
The very latest restriction imposed
upon the people is the coal card"
under which an allowance Of coal will
be made TO each family according 10
It's determined need. In no case may
/ private family receive more than
4 hundred weight OF coal per week.
Those who live in Steam-heated apart
ments are not entitled 10 any coal for
heating purposes rSr 10 any where
cooking is done by other means than
over coal range The families who
both cook and heat with coal must
make the hundredweieht suffice. no
matter whatt their actual r>eds may be.
The Paris working classes were just
taking kindly TO the use Of the public
lighthouses. introduced IN tn. past zen
GRAFTON in 4 country where the bathtuh
vas conspicuous by its rarity twenty
years aCo. when the restrictions on
coal caused tn. lighthouses to announce
to their clientele they would have TO
close their doors three days a week.
The news of the very latest ~restric-
ton that followed the next day was
received with considerable less equa-
nimity. It Was a decree prohibiting
the serving Of meat in. any public place
with the evening meal. Included was
game. fowl and rabbits. If man cared
for neither eggs nor fish. lie had the
option OF d few vegetables or going
hursry.
RESTRICTION HITS
EVERY MAN IN FRANCE
This restriction hits every man in
France accustomed to tax his even
ing meal at restaurants. as about 30
per cent of the population of Paris
does.
Previous restrictions had already
closed the cake bakeries and tea shops
OF the country on Tuesdays and We'd
nesdays. During these two days no
cakes. chocolates. sweetmeats or even
dry biscuits may be sold by any one.
whether restaurateur or shopkreper.
During June and July the manufac-
ture OF pastry is absolutely prohibited.
The devoteeS of the afternoon tea
habit could brew their tea AT home.
that is. il they could drink plain tea.
for there is 40 milk. The crcamerics
have a limited amount. which they
serve only TO their established clients.
y stranger has no chance Of buviug
even half a pint OF milk. The same
is true of sugar. No one unless
equipped with a sugar card can pur-
chase a gram OF sugar.
a card entities the holder TO a little
under two pounds a month. doled out
to him the first OF every month. Two
pounds OF ugar. IL morning coffee or
tea is taken. cannot possibly he en-
tended TO include afternoon tea. so
Paris goes without.
Seeking amusement must be care
fully premeditated. Some theaters are
allowed to remain open Tuesdays,
Thursdays. Fridays. Saturdays and
Sundays. Others close their doors on
Tuesdays and Fridays. In any case.
unless the pleasure-sceker chooses a
thcater in his immediate vicinity. he
takes a long chance OF walking home.
for the means OF transport. the Metro
and the Nord-Sud, shut off their power
at 10 o'clock, save on Tuesdays, Thurs
days. Saturdays and Sundays. when the
last train leaves at Ia l.. NJ. Taxicabs
are impossible to find At late hours.
when the demand is thrice that of the
supply.
In addition. the theaterRoer. upon his
arrival home. must light his way
through pitch-dark Railways with
matches. and undrcssN by candlelight.
for the restriction on Gas and cleo
tricity has forced many hotelkeepcrs
and individual apartment owners 10
shut off the supply at Q r. NJ.
L.AUNDRIEs LOST
FOR LACK or COAL
Sixty per cent of the laundries in
Paris now are closed because of lack
of coal. Those hat keep open have
auintupled their prices. so where a
man had q washing bill Of 81 a week
Continued OF Eleventh PaEs.5