Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-11-20
j. 5. WILL co SLOW
ON ITS ELIM|NAT ION
Of -ESSENT| ALS
Arbitrary Action viii Be Taken
Only After Every Business
Threatened Has Been Given
a Full Hearing

WASHINGTON, Nov. 17.-Arbitrary
elimination of industries regarded as
ronessential to save coal and rail trans
portation will be undertaken by the gov
eminent only after every business
threatened has been given a full hear
ing
This was made clear today by Robert
S. Lovett. director of priority of trans
portation. and Fuel Administrator Gar
field in statements replying to the rec
ommendation of the railroad war board
that coal and transportation be denied
Immediately 10 more than 500 commodi-
ties.
Mr.. Lovett declared that he contem-
plated no early action designed to cut
of transportation to any industry. lie
added, however. that conditions might
change, and that if the shortage requires
that coal be denied some industries he
will issue at the reuest of DR.. Garfield
orders shutting down on shipments to
any named industries.
Lovett's Statement.
Mr. Lovett issued this statement:
While the situation may change, yet
further action with respect to transpor-
tation of nonessentials Priority order
No. 2, with regard to open top cars went
as far as it seemed wise to go in deal
ing with that problem by restricting the
transportation of nonessentials.
Conditions, however, will be con-
stantly observed. Whether the coal
shortage requires restriction of the coal
supply of nonessential industries is a
question for the fuel administrator, DR..
Garfield to determine. and If priority
orders become necessary in the further
ance of his policy in that regard they
will be made only upon his request.
"As to the war industries board. apart
from any action under the priority act
with respect to transportation, 1 may say
that the Industries of the country would
seem to be justified in assuming from
the action of the board in the matter
of copper and steel prices and it's record
generally to date. that it is the desire
and policy of the board carefully and lib
orally to conserve the interest and well
fare of industries.
81 feel safe in saying that the board
will take no action designed TO eliminate
any nonessential industry without rea-
sonable notice and an opportunity to be
heard"
DR.. GarfieldS statement SAID
Statement by Garfield.
IF voluntary economy on the part of
industrial and domestic consumers added
TO the increased coal production of 1911.
which will reach a total OF over 10000.
900 tons, does not provide fuel enough
for the war and to keep our people warm
there will come a time when some limi-
tation will have to be imposed upon man.
Ufacturers of nonwar products. In such
an event the business world may feel sure
that all the bearings of such limitations
will be given thorough consideration and
that the necessary coal will be obtained
with the least possible interference with
industry.
Arbitrary limitation is a last resort
and to be avoided if possible. In many
cases industrial concerns have already
begun a voluntary curtailment of their
use of coal. Such efforts will receive
the fullest support and encouragement
of the fuel administration, including
technical advice on the use of fuel. The
important point for every one to remem-
Der is that IL coal is now consumed in
the old peace time way the supply will
fall 80, zoo. 900 tons short of necessary
requirements in spite of the large in
crease in production. AS | have stated
before, the fuel administration is deter
mined that sufficient coal for the war,
for public utilities and for domestic
shall be provided.
THE way TO prevent those losses incl
dent upon Limitation of industry Is for
every consumer of coal to cut off waste
and unnecessary consumption with an
iron hand to start on this intensive
course of conservation without a mo-
ment's delay"