Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-01-15
HOMES, SHIPS,
FACTORIES GET
COAL IN ORDER
Garfield Lays Stress on NUM-
ton Vessels Detained by
Lack of Fuel

Washington, Jan. 15.-All of the
eastern states are to be grouped and
coal is to be distributed among them
city being treated alike and none to
be given preference on account of
proximity to the Pennsylvania coal
fields, Fuel Administrator Garfield
announced to-day.
Details of the general plan of coal
impending emergency will be an
nounced tomorrow upon the return
to Washington of P. B. Noyes, chief
of the division of conservation, who
has been in New York and Boston.
1t was stated to-day, however.
that Doctor Garfield has decided
definitely on the three major Gle
ments in his plan of emergency dis
tribution. Domestic consumers will
be supplied first and public utilities
furnishing light, heat and power to
homes will be treated on the same
basis.
y Secondary consideration will be
given to bunkering of the supply
ships, mum bering between 125 and
$50, tied up at ports for lack of coal.
These ships carry war food and mu-
nitions for Pershing's men and the
Allies. and have been unable to sail
fer too long a time already" ac-
cording to Doctor Garfield. He to-
night added them to the list of essen
tials that must be supplied with coal.
They were put ahead even of war
industries after reports came to the
fuel administration that a million
tons of shipping is held up for lack
of bunkers.
w. G. McAdoo, director general
CT railroads, last night approved
Doctor Garfelds priority scheme by
ordering preference of movement as
follows:
First. Coal for domestic use and
vital public utilities.
Second. Food.
Third. Coal for bunkering the
ships in harbor which are loaded
for American armies abroad and for
the Allies.
AS soon as normal weather is re-
stored, the priority order will be
withdrawn. Mr.. McAdoo expressed
the hope that it will not materially
affect Industrial activity"
Some War Plants May Close
Industries, including munitions
and other war agencies, will receive
coal when ships have been supplied,
and it is entirely probable that some
plants may be forced to close down
il weather conditions continue to
hamper coal movement. 1t is the
position of the fuel administration
that as long as ships are tied up at
ports unable to sail because of lack
of coal it is useless for factories TO
have preference in order to turn out
supplies which cannot be transport
ed
Doctor Garfield plans to provide
a uniform rule to govern the shut
ting down of places of amusement
OF nonessentials, but he. declined to-
day to indicate what is to be done
other than that a general order TO
cover all states would be issued with
the details of enforcement left to
the discretion of state administra-
tors.
The fuel administration will in
struct it's representatives and the
railroad operatives to take coal as it
comes, without regard to its destina-
ton or consignee. In this manner
the coal will be rushed to meet
emergency conditions by the quick
est manner possible, but check
will be kept of all coal so diverted
so that no section will receive more
than its share and the original con-
.ipneeS will receiye fuel later