Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-01-18
PERIOD
OF |DLENESS
BEGUN TODAY
Manufacturing Industries,
With Few Exceptions,
are Shut Down,

Washington, Jan. 1S-Late to.
day the fuel administration an
nounced that q large number OF
p.ants-abOut q thousand In all
doing war work would be
exempted from the fuel restriction
order. Practically all the prfn.
cipal Industrial plants Of the
country are on the list In one way
or another. The ruling assures
work for hundreds Of thousands Of
men.
Washington, Jan. 1S.-America
felt the pinch of war perhaps for
the first time today with its indus
tries hanging idle under the fuel
administration order issued to re-
lieye the coal shortage and release
fuel for ships loaded with supplies
for the American army and the al.
lies.
In the face Of protest predict.
ing disastrous consequences and .
formal request from the senate to
stay its execution temporarily the
order was signed last night by
Administrator Garfield with the
approval Of President Wilson. It
was stated officially early today
that President Wilson is not even
considering interfering with the
fuel restriction order and feels
that the country will be satisfied
with its necessity.
As sent out to state fuel admins
.rators the order contained but few
changes from the form Of the abstract
made public Wednesday nor did 1t
clear up to any great extent the con-
fusion resulting from its lack of de-
tailed Interpretation.
By it's provisions manufacturing
plants east of the Mississippi and in
Louisiana and Minnesota, with rare ex-
ceptions. will be closed for five days
today and virtually all busi-
ness activity will be stopped on every
for a period Of 10 weeks be-
ginning Jan. q.
Aids Essential Consumers.
Through its application the fuel ad-
expects coal to move to
consumers including rail-
roads, householders, public utilities
and shipping interests and producers
of food in whose behalf the order is in
effect.
A supplementary list of exemptions
issued last night embraces varius in
dustries engaged in imperative war
work.
Ship yards working on navy con-
plants filling contracts for
army and navy wooden uniforms, tent
and manufacturers OF
other products deemed necessary for
immediate use of the military forces
were named in this list.
Indication was given that plants re-
quiring heat to maintain themselves
would be permitted to burn coal for
this purpose but would not be permit
ted to operate. This was interpreted
by many as applying to blast furnaces
Protest from business interests
throughout the country and the storm
in congress continued today. Failure
of the fuel administration to heed the
senate request that the order be held
up until an investigation could be
made led to an agitation by many SEN
ators in favor Of making direct ap-
peal to President Wilson.
Justifies Action.
The fuel administrator justified his
action in lengthy statement last
night in which he said he was prompt
ed by the necessity for furnishing the
American army abroad and allies with
food and supplies.
The country, he said, had reached a
point Of over production as far as dis
tribution was concerned and manu-
featuring plants could well afford to
remain idle for a short time until
transportation, both rail and water
could catch up.
In replying to insistent questions as
to why plants already supplied with
coal should be shut down DR.. Garfield
declared railroad terminals were filled
with loaded cars and unless produc.
ton ceased temporarily cars would
continue to be loaded with manufac
turing products and stalled in yard.
when they should be used for tn,
movement OF coal.
Food Industries Unaffected.
Food industries without exception
will be permitted to operate full time
according to an Interpretation Of tn,
order made public by Food Admins
(Cnnfipuad IN paga pr,FtaocA