The twice-a-week Twin Falls times. (Twin Falls, Idaho) 1916-1918, 1918-01-17

WASHINGTON. Jan. 1.-THE entire
was stunned today by the drastic ac-
ton of the federal fuel administrator,
DR. Harry A Garfield His announce
ment made late last night that all in
dustry was to be suspended first for
five days, commencing tomorrow and
then on all Mondays through Febru
airy and March, has spelled the ut
most confusion. The result was an
avalanche of kilograms of protest
which began coming as soon as the
fact that such action impended be-
came known and which had not yet
reached high tide today These pro-
tests we're addressed to the White
House, to the members of the cabin ct
and to congress. All are couched in
similar terms.
Certain war Industries will be ac-
cepted
At the offices of the fuel admins
tration it was stated that when the
/ people had a chance to reflect, it was
certain they would withdraw good
part of their protest.
imperative necessity and impera-
| tive necessity alone" was responsible
for the order The situation through
out the entire country east of the Mis-
! sissippi river was far more serious
| than the people realized, officials said
That the proposed plan was of vital
necessity, it was pointed out, was best
proven by the fact that it included all
industries essential as well as non-es-
| sential Ordinary remedial measures
would be worthless in the present
crisis it was explained, but this dres-
tic measure will save sufficient fuel
| to insure plenty for all kinds of con-
sumption when the idle period has
passed.
Officials of the fuel administration
insisted that they did not believe la
Dor troubles would result. They de
clared that American industry would
willingly accept the situation as i
found it and that the great mass o
the workers would see the necessit,
of the present action.
1t was admitted that the order ha
had a stunning effect on the countr.
at large. but officials insisted that thi
could not be helped. They declare'
that if the recent unprecedented col
snaps and countrywide snow storm
had not interfered with the transpor
tation there would have been no nee
of the present action But the,
brought about a crisis that demande
stern and immediate action.
Although many persons here, in
Guiding senators and Representatives
who were hearing from home, wer
hoping that President Wilson woul
rescind the order officials close to tn
administration said that such actio
was very unlikely.
They pointed out that it came oni
after DR. Garfield had had a complet
investigation made of the entire stu
alton by trusted agents and then cor
, ferred with railway Director Meade
and Secretaries Baker and Daniels
After he had received reports from a
of these persons he placed the situs
. ton before the president and the pres
I dent himself OKd the plan before an
announcement was made.
Administration officials insist ths
= if he had not been fully convince
, that this action was absolutely nee
essary. the president would not hay
= approved and that that having ar
: proved, he could be depended on I
stand by his action.
1t was estimated by officials clos
to the coal administration that If I'll
:, plan works out as expected there wi
:. be saving of 30.0OO.O00 tons of tot
: and that the relation between suppl
and demand also will be balanced.
= Although official figures we're lacl
( ing, it was estimated that some 5000
y 600 workers Will he affected by II
= shutting down of industries. II a
" ready has been suggested by officia
, here that many of these workers wi
be paid at least for a portion of Il
:. time they lose by their employer
- And. while many officials who are O
posed to the order were declaring tn
general labor unrest and strikes we
sure to follow, this view was not he
|
(Conffunad on Paga 81