The Washington herald., 1918-01-18
fuel ADMINISTRATOR ASSERTS BELIEF
EMPLOYERS WILL PAY WORKERS laid OFF
Gompers Joins In Request that Thousands
Made Idle Be Saved from Loss Many Mil
lions Involved In Wages and Production
Values Some War Needs Exempted from
Edict's Provisions.

,edict went out last night after con-
ference at the White House at
tended by the President. Mr.. Gar
field, Secretary of War and the
Secretary of the Navy, the teshni-
cal men at the Navy Department
and the technical men OF the War
Department seemed at a loss to un-
derstand to what entent the vital
war necessities of the government
were to be provided.
Bureau chiefs at the Navy Depart
rnent. assembled during the day in
conference, sent an earnest notice
direct to Mr.. Garfield that any inter-
ruption in the construction Of destroy
ers would be calamitous. Apparent
ly these men. upon, whose shoulders
the responsibility for the navy's
fighting efficiency. directly rested. had
not been consulted before hand.
Nor, for that matter. did 1t appear
that the administration had taken
into its confidence beforehand any of
the Industrial heads. enlisted as dol
lar-a-year-advisers" in the Council of
National Defense. These men, were as
thunderstruck as any over the sweep
ing and drastic character Of the or
der. There were indications here and
there that designations might be
forthcoming in these quarters by way
of protest.
The supplies committee of the Coun-
Gil of National Defense met, in the
afternoon with elaborate and complI-
Gated charts before 1t, tending to dis
pute the assertion Of DR.. Garfield
that the curtailment order will not
seriously impair the fulfillment of the
war contracts.
Some Exemptions Won.
At the suggestion of the Navy De-
partment the building of destroyers,
yitally needed to meet the forthcom-
ing German undersea spring offensive,
will not be interrupted. Eleven OF
the exemptions have to do with this
matter alone.
At the suggestion of the War De-
partment three exemptions have been
decided on. Under them there is to
be no interruption in the manufacture
of powder and heavy forgings needed
for field guns.
1t Is understood that work on the
merchant shipbuilding program Is
also to be exempted, but up to a late
hour the final decision on this was not
known.
These exemptions were not set forth
specifically in the text of the order
as issued last evening. They are to
be covered. ii was explained, in an
explanatory statement" to come
later. In addition to the above men,
toned items. il was understood. pro-
vision would be made against inter-
ruption in the manufacture of airplanes.
Daniels and Baker Talk.
All other industries covered in the
original outline made public Wednes-
day night must close absolutely dur
ing the five day period beginning at
midnight.
Likewise the holiday basis must
stand for all industries on the speci-
fed nine Mondays.
1T is a drastic remedy" declared
Secretary of the Navy Daniels, "to
meet a desperate situation But IL we
hesitate it will mean a more drastic
remedy later for more desperate
situation"
Only on the destroyer program. Dam
iels said. had the navy asked to be
exempted. For the rest It is willing to
slow up with the rest OF the country's
war preparations and private indus
tries.
Certain Immediately necessary sup
plies" said Secretary OF War Baker.
leaving the White House last night,
"the army has asked to be exempted.
On the rest of the war supplies we
must stand by the order of the Fuel
Administration