The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-01-17
DEFENDS ACT
AT HEARING
Fuel Administrator Garfield Says
Government May be Forced
Into the Coal
Business.

| UNITED Press Leased Wire Service. ]
| WASHINGTON, Jan. 17.-Assailed
from all part of the country for his
order to suspend industrial activity
for five day, starting tomorrow, Fuel
Administrator Garfield today sharp.
| ly defended his action before the
senate coal committee.
| Hailed before the committee to Eek.
plain" Garfield outlined the causes
Of the regulatory order-car short
age, shipping COMPOSITIONS and cold
homes.
If it becomes necessary to keep
the people warm, he declared, the
government will buy coal and sell it
at cost.
Il don't think it will be necessary
and we haven't it in contemplation, -
he said, "but If 1t is necessary, we
shall establish revolving fund to
buy coal at the presidents price.
We'd have the state administrators
buy and sell it, This would amount
to control of coal destined to indus
tries and for purposes other than
those on the preferred list
But this action he clearly explain
ed, would come only in the event
that the factory closing order an
nounced for tonight does not in it
self release sufficient cars to clear
the coal situation.
Garfield was summoned for testi-
mony while engaged with the house
appropriations committee where he
was seeking an addition of s1,5O0,0O
to the $2,500,000 previously asked for
the operation of his department.
His appearance followed demands
in the senate for suspension of his
order, now effective at midnight. The
senate will vote on it's resolution at
four o'clock after GarficA's testimony
before the committee is submitted
Garfield explained to the commit
tee that he had added to his previous
order SO as to permit full operation of
coal mines 1t would allow loading
and consigning of cars
call coal now on track or shipped in
the next FIVE days" said DR.. Garfield,
will be delivered to these industries
on the preference list"
Are there any exceptions to factor
les to be closed?" asked Senator
Reed
Yes, but they are not named in the
ordr," said Garfield
Certain things must go on and there
will be a reserve list of industries
which will be permitted to operate. l
reserve the right to change that list
at any time"
Ships and ship building will not be
stopped, DR.. Garfield said he notified
Chairman Hurley, of the shipping
board.
To name those industries on the re-
serve list would invite thousands and
thousands of protests. he said. DR..
Garfield said he did not desire to name
these industries. but he expected to
notify them all by telegraph by to-
night
DR.. Garfield said the secretaries OF
war and the navy were to furnish him
with the list Of industries to be per-
mitted to run.
This class will include industries
producing things Immediately neces-
sary for war purposes, said Dr. Gar
field.
why was this closing order is
sued?" asked Reed
This order is because there was a
lack of coal for domestic consumers,
utilities furnishing heat, light, power
and trans portation to the public" Gar
held said. This was due to lack OF
facilities, rather than
Jack of coal This was accumulated by
the recent severe winter weather.
The railroads had not been able to
catch up with demands
Coal necessary for food production.
and transportation of food
and for bunkering cargo ships was
lacking, DR. Garfield said