Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1918-01-17

London, Jan. 17seThe central powers
have flatly rejected Russian demands
to inability to move coal within the
yards, because of the heavy snowfall.
Three thousand industries down state
will be Iorced to close ON Mondays, ii
was estimated. These include many mu,
nitions works.
Big business men here took widely
variant views on the order. Solo
thought it too drastic, while others be.
lieved it was vitally necessary
More than 100 of the city's leading
manufacturers and business men were
in conference with State Fuel Admins
traitor Williams yesterday when the
news of Garfields' order was received.
Samuel Hastings, president of the
Illinois Manufacturers association jump
ed to his feet and shouted:
81 move that resolution be sent to
Washington expressing our regret at the
necessity for this action and respect
fully extending our cheerful co-opera-
tion and whole hearted compliance as
a patriotic duty"
The resolution was passed unanimous
ly.
Statements were issued by leading
business men as follows:
! "The board Of trade should not be
affected by the order as its business is
handling food and feed supplies. The or
der should increase the supply of cars
for the movement of grains and feed
and enlarge it materially"
Lucius Teter, president of the Chicago
Association Of Commerce:
THE orders come at time when our
own fuel administrator has been making
plans which, believe, probably would
have led TO the same result without be-
ing so drastic. The laying off of men
will work a hardship. Some concerns
can afford to pay the men while others
cannot" +"
Arthur M. Hull, editor of the Retail
Coalman: IS
''It is simply the result of transpor-
tation congestion Coal production in
creased 90, 100000 tons in 1917 over the
previous year. Fourteen per cent was in
anthracite The demand for coal for
more than a year has been almost un-
believable. The railroads cannot be char
ged with failing to do all they can,
James b. Forgan, chairman of the
board of directors of the First Nation
al bank: " [ did not know the fuel sit
uation was so serious as the fuel admin
istrator's order would indicate. But he
undoubtedly has the data before him
and even this drastic move must be war
ranted."
Lieutenant Colonel Emil Mareussen,
of the Salvation army "The govern
ment should have given at least a
week g notice. The poor win suffer ter
ribly and we will be powerless to help
them, unless a huge fund is subscrib-
ed for the work.
Estimates received here today from
Illinois throws light on the tremendous
| Immediate economic effect the aGrfield
order win have in this state.
In the East st. Louis district $4,000
employed men and women earning APP
pr6xlmatcly 100000 daily will be af-
/ feeted. Other cities reported the fol-
lowing number of employees likely to
be laid eff.
Elgin, 1000; Peoria, 10000; Moline
and Rock Island, 10000 Springfield,
/ 10000; Bloomington, 1000; Rockford
lD,VpU.
State Fuel Administrator Williams to-
day expressed the opinion that the fuel
situation is now much worse in the east
ern part of the nation than in Illinois,
He laded, however, that the crisis here
will not be reached for at least a week.
when the shortage caused by the inabil-
ity Of the railroads to move coal during
the recent storms viii be fully felt.
Conferences were being held today in
hundreds of Chicago factories. Hope was
Iexrressed by manufacturers that pro-
teste from Chicago might result in a
modification Of the order so far as IL
iiuois is concerned.
Williams was preparing a statement
on the application Of the order in Hin
ois which he planned to make public at
noon today.