Norwich bulletin., 1918-01-18

Washington, Jan. 17.-While storm of protest ragged at the capitol and among business interests throughout the nation, Fuel Administrator Gar field tonight signed the order in pre- paration since yesterday closing down manufacturing plants east of the Mis- stssippi river for five days beginning at midnight tonight and stopping vir- tually all business activity on every Monday for a period of ten weeks, be- ginning January 21.
 With the full support of President Wilson the fuel administrator attach cd his signature to the mandate as the senate was preparing to vote on a res ofution, which it passed twenty nin- utes later, requesting him to postpone action for five days. Dr. Garfield would not comment on the senate ac. ton, but it was stated at fuel admin istration headquarters that the resolu- ton would have no effect upon the or der.
 Congress Was Astonished.
 Seldom has Washington seen a day of more stirring activity. An aston ished congress paid little attention to any other subject during the day and officials generally, few of whom had known the order was imminent, talked of little else Dr. Garfield was the storm center during the morning when his office was swamped with tele- phone calls. in the afternoon when he was haled before a senate commit tee and tonight when he finally issued the order.
 Sent to State Fuel Administrators.
 The order as signed and sent out to- Tf n frfal od fcfr f<1T.e, fo enforcement, contained but few chang es from the form of an ab/tract giv- en out by the fuel administrator last night. Nor did it clear up to any great extent the confusion resulting from lack of detailed legislation.
 A supplementary statement issued with the order embraced a list of in- dustries engaged in imperative war work which win be exempted from the orders enforcement In includes ship yards engaged in naval work, a few plants turning out products needed immediately by the army and navy and portions of plants producing tub ing. The list was prepared by Sec retaries Baker and Daniels.
 Shipyards Are Exempted.
 Although no formal announcement was made the shipping board has been assured that all shipyards will be ex- empted
 Congress was in an uproar from the time 1t assembled until it adjourned tonight. Then senate resolution was passed 50 to 19 after many senators had denounced the order as unwise and unnecessary. In the house objec- tion prevented consideration of the resolution, but it was the subject ot an acrimonious debate.
 Garfield Called Before Senate Com.
 mittee.
 Dr. Garfield was called before tht senate manufacturers conmitte, which has been investigating the coa shortage to explain the necessity O the order. Shortly after noon h, heard of the stir that was taking plac, in the senate and hurried to the cap itol. In tEe midst of debate over Sen ator Hitchcock's resolution the com niittee met and decided to call him Senator Reed, the chairman, announc sd on the floor that Dr, Garfield wa 10 he heard and asked that consider ation of the resolution be postpone until he was questioned.
 Called His Legal Aides.
 After leaving the capitol, Dr. Gar field hurried to his office and after telephone conversation with the Whit House. called his legal aides to pu he order in final form.
 Tonight 1t was indicated that an ap peal might be made to President Will son. The suggestion also was hear that the food control bill, under whic Dr. Garfield acted. might be repealed but there appeared little prospect tha ihis would be done since it hardl could be accomplished before the fiv day perior was over.
 Many senators, when they hear that the order would be carried ou insisted that the fuel administratio was exceeding it's authority and tha it could not prevent an owner of fut from using stores in his possession Fuel administration officials, howeye pointed to provisions of the act i'm posing heavy penalties on anyon who violates regulations Presider Wilson may prescribe under the act
 Includes Wood, Oil and Gas.
 Although first interpretations of tn order indicated that its provision would not apply to the use of woo, oil gas and other forms of fuel, to night 1t was declared that all fuel ( M -.~fsss,' ~ -'-@