Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1918-01-06
PINE BLUFF IS FIRST TO ASK FOR FEDERAL AID Resolutions Passed by c. of c. Officials Considered
 by Couch. t MAY MAKE TRIP
 TO SHREVEPORT
State Fuel Administrator Wires Head oi National Body for Instructions in Gas Matter-.May Make
 Personal Investigation. 

Federal investigation of the present gas situation in this city will in all probability be made in the very near future, according to State Fuel Ad- ministrator H. c. Couch, who was in this city yesterday. The resolutions passed by the tlus- tees of the Chamber of Commerce at their meeting Friday was presented to Mir Couch by Secretary k. B. BioGn of the Chamber of Commerce, Wh } went into the gas situation thorough ly with the federal official and who stated in detail the complaints of the local gas consumers.
 Mr. Couch advised MT. Bloom that he had seen the resolutions ill The Graphic, and that he had familiarized himself with the action taken by the officials of the Chamber of Commerce. He stated that he had already wired Dr. Harry Garfield, head of the na- tonal fuel administration. outlining the complaints which he had received, and asking for specific instructions in this case At a late hour last night Mir. Couch had received no reply from Dr. Garfield, but will probably hear from that official some time today.
 Mir. Couch stated that he had been receiving reports of similar actions on the part of various commercial or ganizatiOns in this state, and that he realized thoroughly the importance of the situation. He stated that although Mir. Garfield, in an address to the vari- ous state fuel administrators in con-. ference in Washington recently, made the statement that he had selected good business men of patriotic minds ! and sound judgment, and, therefore, was going to transfer to them all the power and authority in their own states that he possesses nationally, and would stand behind them in every thing they do, still he felt it best to ask MT. Garfield for specific instruc- tons in the gas case, especially since the policy of the fuel administration has been to adjust the coal situation first. The administration has then been dealing with the gasoline and oil situations, but Mr. Couch stated that ne realized the truth of the statement of the officials, of the Chamber of Commerce in that the use of gas would conserve coal and permit thousands ot tons of it to go for the use of war ships and railroads. which are unable to use gas as fuel.
 Mir. Couch is of the opinion that the 1uel administration will investigate the matter thoroughly within the nex1 1ew days, not so much as to the mat ter Of price, but will look into the matter of shortage of supply, addi tlonal wells anG facilities to carry the pressure.
 May Go to Fields.
 It is very probable that MT. Coucl VIII go to Shreveport, La., Wednesday to investigate the gas matter and gel at the real facts in the case. He will ieave here today, but will return Tues. aay, and if he decides to make the trip to the Louisiana city he will bt accompanied by Secretary B. B. Bloom or the Chamber of Commerce, who has been invited by MT. Couch.
 It is thought that some action vii pc taken in the gas matter at an earl. uate and some arrangements made fo a definite settlement.