Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1918-01-19

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manufacturing enterprise with but
few exceptions in all States cast OF
the Mississippi River was ordered by
tho government tonight to suspend
operations for five days beginning
Friday morning as a drastic measure
for relieving tho fuel famine.
At the SANG timo, as further
means OF relief, 1t was directed that
industry and business generally, in
Guiding all normal activities that re-
quire heated buildings observe as
holiday every Monday for the next
ton weeks. This will close down OH
Mondays not only factories, but ga
looms, stores, except for tho sale Of
drugs and food, places Of amusement
and nearly all office buildings. While
the order does not mention shipyards,
1t ds known that they will DO permit.
ted to continue operation as usual,
although munition plants will DO
closed.
The governments move came en-
tirely without warning In an order
issued by Fuel Administrator Gar
field with the approval OF President
Wilson prescribing stringent rostric-
tons governing the distribution and
use OF coal. 1t was decided upon
hurriedly by tho President and gov
ornment heads as desperate remedy
for the fudl crisis and tho Transports
ton tangle In the Eastern States.
Even munition plants are not except
ed from the closing down order.
Officials tonight would not discuss
the far-roaching effects the action
would have on the Industrial fabric,
and questions as to how tho or Ter
was to DO interpreted to meet specific
problems went unanswered.
WHO WILL BE SUPPLIED WITH
FUEL UNDER RULE
The order prescribes preferential
list of consumers In whose interest
1t was drawn. These users will get
coal 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
Oh government contracts.
Public buildings and necessary gov
eminent, State and municipal require
ments.
Factories producing perishable foods
and foods for Immediate consump-
ton.
Announcement OF tho provisions Of
tho order was made by Fuel Admin
strator Garfield after a White House
conference which was attended also
by Secretaries Baker and Daniels.
Earlier in the day. DR. Garfield had
sought tho views OF other officials,
and 1t was said tonight the unani-
nous opinion was that the measure
contemplated was necessary under
the circumstances.
AS t1rst drawn and as approved at
the white House, the order called for
tho closing OF factories beginning to-
morrow morning. This was changed,
upon consideration Of tho confusion
when would result when millions Of
workers went to their duties unaware
or the governments step.
INCLUSION or war Industries among
those to which fuel will be denied
CAUSED some surprise, but fuel officials
explained that war plants have been
producing so much moro material
Than the transportation systems can
handle that no serious effects will be-
telt. War supplies manufactured for
export have moved to seaboard faster
than ships can move them.
An exception Is made In tho case
or sh1pbu'lding plants because OF the
great need for vessels to move sup.
plies already ready for shipment over
seas.
HERE'S NEW FUEL ORDER
BRIEFED TO SENTENCES
The text of tho order had not been
completed at late hour, but an alb
stract which was said to cover all Of
Its provisions, given out by the feul
administration, follows:
CD Until further order Of the
United States fuel administrator, all
persons selling fuel In whatever ca
pacity shall give preference to orders
for necessary requirements.
(a) OF railroads.
\ (b) OF domestic consumers, hoe.