The Sentinel=record., 1918-01-18
GARFIELD ISSUES ORDER SHUTTING DOWN INDUSTRIES
 EAST OF THE MISSISSIPPI

insisted that the fuel administration was exceeding its authority and that
 t could not prevent an owner of fuel from using stores in his possession Fuel administration officials. how ever pointed to provisions Of the act imposing heavy penalties on anyone aho violated regulations President Wilson may prescribe under the act
 Although first Interpretations of the order indicated that its provisions would not apply to the use of wood oil gas, and other forms of fuel, to- night tonight it was declared that all fuel of every description was intend ed. Production of fuel will not be interferred with in any way.
 In a lengthy statement isseud to- night justifying his action Dr. Gar field declared that the chief consid- eration prompting 1t was the neces- sity for supplying American troops abroad and furnishing the allies with food and supplies. The country, he said is suffering from over produc- ton and can we'll suspend manufac- turing enterprises for short time.
 To assist in getting coal to ships in New York harbor Dr. Garfield to- night sent to New York one of his as- sistants who will remain there until bunker coal once more is moving freely. Ships bunkers under the closing order are put in a preferen- tial class along with household users. public utilities and other consumers on whose coal uses there are put no restrictions.
 Officials tonight varied widely in their views of the wisdom of the or der Apparently few were consulted before it was finally decided upon at a conference yesterday between President Wilson, Dr, Garfield and Secretaries Baker and Daniels Many took the view of business men. who were heard from by the thousands, that t would dc far more harm than good
 Protests came from every region in the country Business organizations flooded the fuel administration. the white house and congress with tele- grams asking to be heard before the order became effective. The war ser vice committee of the chamber of commerce of the United States in- tercepted Dr. Garfield at the capital and after an hours conference issued a statement filled with objections t0 the plan but saying that now it had been ordered it should be complied with loyally
 Schools were declared exempted to-f night from the closing order under which they are classed as municipal buildings. Fuel officials held may go to schools freely, not only during the five day period but on Monday hoh- days as well.
 Food industries without exception will be permitted to operate on full time.
 After a conference with Dr Garfield tonight Food Administrator Hoover issued the following statement in that connecticut
 Tt is my understanding that Dr. Garfields s order does not include grain elevators. grain mills, bakeries, stock yards, meat packing establishments. and refining plants or any other form of food industry.
 Further. there are certain other industries not handling foods upon which food production depends and Dr. Garfield has agreed to leave de- ermination of the position of these industries to state food administrators who will secure supplies for them through state fuel administrators.
 The flow of foodstuffs must con inue without interruption"
 In giving preferential treatment to certain classes of consumers not only are fuel dealers ordered to supply these consumers first but state fuel administrators are empowered and directed" to divert to the classes specified such fuel as arrives for other consumers in their communities during the next five days Under this clause large quantities of coal en route from the mines to factories, office buildings and stores must be seized by the state administrators and distributed
 Fuel Administrator Garfields state ment in explanation Of his order fol- lows:
 "The most urgent thing to be done is to send to the American troops abroad and to the allies the food and war supplies which they vitaly need War munitions food, manufactured articles of every description are yins in Atlantic ports in tens of thousands of tons. where literally hundreds of ships loaded with war goods for our men and the allies cannot take the