The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1918-02-08
Plan Cannot at This Time Be
Abandoned Garfield Has
Announced.
MILD WEATHER ONLY HOPE
There May Come Orders for
Four Day Shutdowns Cover
ing LincOln's and Washing
toms Birthday Holidays.

Washington, Feb. with the
east facing the most acute coal
shortage of the winter and in the
grip of the coldest weather Of a gen
Grafton, the government decided
Tuesday that the heatless Monday
program cannot at this time be
abandoned, as had been hoped.
The conclusion to continue the
closing was reached at a conference
between Fuel Administrator Gar
field and Director General McAdoo
attended by a dozen state fuel ad-
ministrators. There was no official
announcement, but Joint state
ment probably will be given out.
There had been every indication
up to Monday night that the Mon
day holidays were over, but reports
brought to Washington by the state
fuel administrators that throughout
most Of the east there is on hand
but one days supply of coal, coupled
with the weather situation, were ac-
| cepted as convincing proof that the
present is no time to lift the closing
order. Even Mr.. McAdoo, who up
to this time is understood to have
opposed the closing plan. was said
tonight to have agreed that until
the weather permits an improvement
in railroad transportation, the order
should be continued in force.
Blizzard Cuts Production.
The blizzard has cut coal produc-
tion and movement to such an ex-
tent that officials pointed out to-
night that even had the Monday
closings been abandoned, industry
would be forced to close down to a
considerable extent because of a
lack of fuel supplies. In fact, re-
ports to the fuel administration to-
night showed that in many states
plants already are closing in large
numbers.
1t was emphasized that the fuel
| administration is determined that
what coal is unloaded and distribut-
ed shall go to householders first
State fuel administrators have been
given almost unlimited authority to
divert coal from other consumers to
keep the people warm in their
homes,
For the first time since coal began
to Tun short. fuel administration Of
ficials admit that the situation is
alarming. Report after report came
during the day telling of cities all
the way from Mississippi to the At
lantic with but few hours supply of
fuel on hand and prospects poor for
obtaining anything like the quanti-
| ties needed
The railroads were declared to be
in the worst shape they have been
in during the winter. Low tenn
peratures made it impossible in
some instances for trainmen to work
| and general freight movement was
said to be almost so per cent OF
normal.
There are some indications that
| II better weather does not come to
improve the situation officials will
take up for consideration an amend
ment to the closing order prescrn-
ing two four-day shut-downs. one
covering the period of Lincoln's 8
birthday anniversary and the other
Washington's birthday. Lincoln's
| birthday, February IL, falls on
Tuesday. bringing a three-day holi-
day over Sunday, Monday and Tues
day. If Saturday. usually observed
as half holiday, were made a com
nlete holiday. this would give a
four-day closing.
Washington's birthday. February
22. on Friday, offers another op
portunity to make Saturday a COM
plete holiday and thus give another
four-day closing period.
Railroad administration reports
said freight movements had been
cut in half, and passenger traffic
suffered equally. Coal formed the
bulk of the freight which strug-
Cling roads were able to move
through cold winds and drifting
snow. but deliveries everywhere
were far below normal demands.