The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-01-19
CLOSING ORDER
ANGERSSENATE
Burst of DenunciatiOn on
Floor of Chamber Over
Fuel Order.
CLOAK FOR DEFICIENCY
Deluge Of Protests Received
by Representatives From
Constituents.
CLOAK FOR DEFICIENCY
Special Desposch TO The suS


WASHINGTON. Jan. 1s.-Dr. Harry A.
GARFIELD. Federal Fuel Administrator.
ignored the Senate last night. when,
nifty minutes IN advance Of notification
Of that body that It had urged 4 I'VE
day delay in putting into efsect his
order to close mills and factories
throughout the Eastern area Of the
United States. ne signed the order This
he told the Senate to-day In letter
addressed to the Vice-President
The Senate. however. had known las,
night DR.. Garfield had signed the order
In the face Of knowledge The Senate
resolution praying delay was bound to
pass. Dr.. Garfield aGm.tted in his let
ter ne had signed the order at 6:45
o'clock. Al that momen. the Senate was
enga Eed in voting on the resolution. All
these elements in the situation con-
tributed to angering the Senators and
the letter with its modifying phrases
Gid not help matters.
Throughout the Senate to-day there
wac anger "impotent Indignation" was
a phrase used to describe the spirit Of
the occasion. There was a burst OF de-
nunciation OF the order on the f1oor by
Senator Smith fMich.). and Senator
Smith 'Ga.5 arose to tell the Senate
he had n letter from DR.. Garfield telling
that hydro-electric plants would not be
stopped from operating under tho terms
Of tho order. DIR. Garfield had indicated
yesterday the order was only suggestive
in it's relations to the hydro-electric
plants, sover which his administration
In 1,,,t .
manufacturers using such power would
yield patriotic Indulgence to tine situa-
tion and stop their operations as we'll
Text Of GarAeId's Letter.
The letter from Or. Garfield follows :
Permit me to confirm the message
sent TO you yesterday afternoon by
Mr.. Baker, clerk OF the Senate.
ut Is my earnest desire the members
of the Senate should know that. as an
executive officer Of the Government. !
would not willingly treat request Of
the Senate with other than the greatest
respect
The order suspending the operation
OF industrial plants in portions of the
United States was issued only after de-
liberate consideration and, ] firmly be-
lieve. will aid effectively in providing
coal for domestic consumers for the
prompt bunkering OF ships carrying
necessary war material abroad. and for
the relief Of the serious congestion at the
docks and at many points in the section
covered BY the order. stiil believe it
should stand. To delay the application
Of the order would only add to the con-
gestion. 1t would bc only natural in-
dustry In the interval would redouble
Its efforts to increase supplies on hand.
ITO permit factories with a coal sup
ply to operate during the period Of sus-
pension would allow many producing
articles least essential TO the war to
continue, while some producing arti-
cles the most essential would be COM
PEELED to shut down. Moreover. continued
prod uction by those well supplied with
coal would delay IL not defeat. the re-
lief contemplated by the order.
Il should add that the resolution was
presented to me at S:35 yesterday af-
ternoon and tina. the order was signed
at 40"
Every Opportunity OF Knowing.
tor Hitchcock, Nebraska. author of the
resolution asking for a five day suspen-
sion OF the order, said:
While the resolution might not have
been presented in writing. It was te!e-
phoned to tho Fuel Administration, and
the Administrator had every opportunity
| OF knowing that the Senate was about
to pass IT.
In his denunciation OF the order Sen
ator Smith said: "All this chaos Is
shameful The Senate should rise and
clip the wings OF those who seek to ex-
! ercise such authority. which was never
|
/ aghast. Our enemies must be jubiiant
Some united action should be taken q
stay this blow. 30 serious and far reach
| ing"
| There was a literal delugs of pro-
| tests received by Senators and Repre-
sentatives to-day from constituents in
| all quarters Of the country. All day
| !ong Legislators were In tourh with the
| Fuel Administration exemption after
exemption was granted. thanks to the
earnest Intervention OF the Senator or
member. but in many other instances
| the petitioner was told that nothing
could be done for his concern and all
| that remained was to grin and bear It,
| There will be a reechO OF yesterdays
excitement at the Capitol tomorrow
when Director General Of Railroads Nc
Adoo Is scheduled to appear before the
Committee on Interstate Commerce. il,
| the Senate the suspicion reposes that
the statement of Dr. Garfield TO the
Committee on Manufactures as to just
why-the fuel order WAS issued neglected
I the participation Of Director General
McAdoo's office In the demand for a
cessation Of industrial activity, There
Is a feeling that as coal conservation
measure purely and simply the Garfield
order Is indefensible. and on that basis
II never should have been nut into ef.
feet. As an effort to relieve frcigh,
congestion they admit II would have a
somewhat better chance OF cnlisting 4
, measure Of public appreciation.
1t In even asserted the order is SORT
Of cloak 10 the deficiency Of the rail
ways to straixhten out their difficulties
! Senators Of both parties are Of n mind
1
| Continued on Second PdQc.