The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-01-19
FACTORIES SHUT jil down.
ORDERS FIVE DAY
SUSPENSION.
Coal Shortage Leads to Drastic
Measures to Relieve Situation
Probably All Industrial Plants East
of Mississippi Affected.

washington, Jan. 16.-America'
manufacturing enterprises with but
few exceptions in all States east o.
the Mississippi River were ordered by
the government tonight to suspend
operations for five days beginning Fri
Gay morning as drastic measure fol
iclieving the fuel famine. The or.
der also included the whole of the
States of Louisiana and Minnesota
AT the same time, as an additional
means of relief, it was directed tha,
industry and business generally, in
Guiding all normal activities that re.
ouire heated buildings, observe as a
holiday every Monday for the next
ten weeks. This will close down on
Monday not only factories, but So.
looms, stores except for the sale OF
drugs and food, places of amusements
and nearly all Office buildings. While
the order does not mention shin
yards, 1T is known that they will be
permitted TO continue operations as
usual. although munitions plants will
be closed.
The governments move came en-
tirely without warning in an order is
sued. by Fuel Administrator Gar
heid with the approval of President
wilson prescribing stringent restric.
tions governing the distribution anu
use of coal. 1t was decided upor
hurriedly by the president and gov.
ernment heads as a desperate rem.
edy for the fuel crisis and the trans
rortation tangle in the Eastern States
Even munitions plants are not except
cd from the closing down order.
Officials tonight would not discus
the far reaching effects the actor
would have on the Industrial fabric.
The order prescribes a preferential
list of consumers in whose interest
was drawn. These users will get Goa
in the following order:
Railroads.
Household consumers, hospitals
charitable institutions and army and
navy cantonments.
Public utilities. telephone and tele
graph plants.
Strictly government enterprises ex
cepting factories and plants working
ON government contracts
Public buildings and necessary gov
ernment, State and municipal require
ments. t
Factories producing perishabl
foods and foods for immediate con
sumption.
announcement of the provisions o
the order, was made by Fuel Admins
traitor Garfield after White Hous
conference which was attended ais
by Secretaries Baker and Daniels
Earlier in the day DIR. Garfield hao
sought the views of other officials, an
1T was said the unanimous opinio,
was that the measure contemplated
was necessary under circumstances.
AS first drawn and as approved Il
the White House the order called 70
the closing of factories beginning to
morrow morning. This was change
upon consideration of the confusion
which would result when millions
workers went to their duties unawar,
OF the governments step.
Inclusion of war industries anon:
those TO which fuel will be deniet
caused some surprise but fuel officials
explained tonight that war plants have
been. producing so much more mater
ial than the transportation system
can handle that no serious effects will
be felt.
An exception is made in the case
shipbuilding plants because of tho
great need for vessels to move sup
plies already ready for shipment over.
seas.
Fuel administration officials will
make an effort to increase production
at the coal mines during the periot
that other business is suspended
1t is estimated that the enforcement
of the order would save a total of 30.
10000 tons of bituminous coal
which probably is about the presen
shortage. The Indications were tina
ut the end of the ten weeks of Mon.
day holidays a permanent policy OF
restricted consumption would have
been determined on.
Louisiana and Minnesota. which Ii,
partly on both sides OF the Mississippi
were specifically included rs n whole
IN the list of States to which the order
applies.
The order is expected to go far to