The Washington times., 1918-01-17
EXPECT PRESIDENT
TO MODIFY FUEL
ORDER WITH|NDAY
By DAVID LAWRENCE.


ness engaged In Government c0h-
tracts wouI.. he issued.
But the psychological effect or the
Garfield order cannot be exaggerated.
Many were saying today that the con
fidsnce nf the people In the Govern
NETT might COn"eivably be weaken
Ell by such confessions Of thcompe-
trncy- as attended the issuance OF the
fuel order.
Indeed. the Senate voiced its dis
approval promptly. Senator Hitch
cock of Nebraska introduced reS5-
luton to suspend the order for sew
craI days until an opportunity for
protest and modification could be
given senator Weeks Of Massachu-
setts and other members Of the Sem
at expressed their opinions in un-
mictakable language.
Changes Expected.
Coming on top OF the resignation
of Daniel Willard from the chairman
ship Of the war Industries board. the
recently exhibited impatience Of the
Senate Military Affairs Committee
with the conduct of the War Depart
ment, the situation may be said to
be one in which the legislative branch
OF the Government: may conceivably
begin to exercise that check on the
executive. which il was originally in
tended that it should.
President Wilson has a ways been
shrewd enough to anticipate such
tendencies on the part " Congress,
particularly when the latter seem to
he supported by a widespread public
demand. SO before the day was over
announcement Of changes were eN-
pected from either the Waite House
or the Fuel Administration.
On every side there was the reserva.
ton that II the fuel administration
order was absolutely necessary. the
American people would stoically obey.
but many people doubted whether
the order could actually be enforced
at such short notice.
Indeed when Mr.. Garfield was tell
ing the newspapermen about the or
der last night they got the impression
that II would be put into effect this
morning. Later the fuel admins
traitor sent out word that he had been
misunderstood and that he meant Fri
day morning, but there is reason to
believe that as originally framed
it was intended to cut off coal from
American industries without even
a nights warning.
No Explanation.
The Chlet objection against tne whOie
business, whether necessary or uunec-
essary. is that the Government did not
take the people into its confidence. that
II did not explain the amount OF coal on
hand. exactly what the freight conges-
ton is. and what relief can be expected
from the extraordinary measures pro-
posed.
A campaign OF education and infor-
nation could have brought about 4 bet
I ter understanding by all concerned
Instead, the suddennesS Of the order
has created chaos where there should
have been order. has caused the work
| ingman perpleNity ~ TO whether he
will get wages next week, has chOked
the marts OF trade and presented a
spectacle OF iucOmpetenCy to people
! outside Of Washington, which IL not
the least different from the impress
! sion Of those who are able to see the
confusion at first hand in the National
/ Capital.
And when order has been obtained
J out Of the miN-up Of orders and m"di
! fications. the Congress probably VIII
/ make a little inquiry Of its own IS
: to the lsck Of foresight in the las;
: three months, the failur" Z" estiluat"
| the quantity OF coal ayailabl" and
I the needs uf this country an" GU"
allies. and to map out a program that
could have been carried out whole
heartedly by the people because they
Z fI Ill