The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1918-01-18
INDUSTRIAL U. S.
PROTESTS ORDER
American Business Men Send
Avalanche of kilograms to
Federal Fuel Administrator.
GARFIELD IS ACCUSED
Charged With usurping Power He
Does Not Possess--cIaims Lever
Bill Gives Authcrity-U. s. to
Take Coal Saved.

bHi StNeS Authcfity-U. y. 10
Take Coal Saved.
Washington, Jan. 1S.-Industrial
America has risen In violent protest
against the order of Fuel Administra-
tor Garfield suspending the operation
Of virtually all great plants in the
Eastern half of the country for FIVE
days.
Under an avalanche of thousands of
kilograms DR.. Garfield laid plans with
state aides for putting the order into
effect at midnight.
Avalanche OF Protests.
charges OF inefficiency were revealed
in the protests of business men. That.
the country does not believe the need
exists for the drastic step is plainly
evidenced. Unprecedented numbers of
kilograms flooded the White House,
protesting, demanding revocation of
the order. calling for Dr. Garfield's re-
moval from office, and pointing out
the dangers, nationally and interna-
tionally, of throwing the economic
status Of the country into furore.
Claims Authority.
Charges that Mr.. Garfield had
Isurped powers he does not possess
were heard from all points, including
both Houses of Congress. To these
the fuel administration replied that
lnder the Lever bill and priority pow
ers, authority is granted for restrict
Ing fuel, the measures providing pow
srs to stop shipments of fuel to any
consumer who fails to obey govern
ment mandates.
Government Confused.
The war government itself was con-
fused as to the scope of the Garfield
order. Hasty conferences between Mr.
Garfield and shipping board officials
resulted in the declaration that some
plants--among them the fabricating
steel plants, will close. There will be
40 delay In the shipping program, how
ever. because sufficient supplies are
now en- route to yards to supply all
| demands.
Explains Monday Order.
Hundreds of questions revealed un-
;learness OF the order to thousands OF
communities affected.
The Monday holiday order has
caused general confusion throughout
the country.
| This order, Mr.. Garfield explained
Today, affects only the Eastern half of
the United States. but fuel administra-
;ors in the Western states have the
,ower to enforce the Monday holiday
here also.
Must Rely on Newspapers.
For the time being all must rely on
newspapers for information. and de.
tailed orders will be sent out as soon
as possible. Mr.. Garfield said. He will
Issue, probably during the day, a
public appeal to employers to continue
he pay OF their employees during the
lime they are idle because of the fuel
order. The government has no power
to enforce this request, but will call
on employers to take the step as pa
triotic duty.
Would Protect Labor.
A request that labor be not allowed
20 suffer during the Ave days or sub
sequent Mondays affected by the dras
ic fuel order was made by Fuel Ad
ninistrator Garfield, who sent q tele
gram to John r. White Of the United
Mine Workers of America saying:
! please state that orders closing in
dustries for 1--WE days will not slow
down mines. ! am making provision
for that and also include In my appea
request that labor be not allowed tc
suffer during the five days or subse
luent Mondays affected by the order
feel confident the great mass of EN-
lployers throughout the country will re
i gard this as necessary incident o.
the war to be borne by them and no
shifted to labor"
| Government 20 Buy Coal.
| Under . provision It was decided Il
insert in the order the government
will become the purchaser of virtual!
All coal produced In the nve-day clos
ng period.
Mines producing coal under contrac
to industries which will be closed will
be directed to turn their output owe
/ to state fuel administrator under bill
Of lading attached. The Treasury de
partment viii Get aside $25,000, 900 TO
the purchase Of this coa'
,lRAlL CRISIS HALTS INDUSTRY