Evening star., 1918-01-17
BUSINESS UPHEAVAL
IS ONE GREAT FEAR
FROM FUEL ORDERS
Telegrams and Letters Pro-
testing vehemently Against
Ruling Reach Congressman.
INDIVIDUALS AND FIRMS
POINT OUT THE DANGER
Men on Capitol Hill, as a Rule, Sur.
prised at Action-Some De-
plore Hasty Judgment.

prised at Action-Some De-
plore Hasty Judgment.
kilograms and letters portesting We
hemently against the fuel admniistra-
ton order restricting the use OF coal
were received today by members of
Congress from business firms and in
dividuals throughout the east. Some
of the messages asserted that the or
ders would cause "upheaval and over
turning" of industry.
Among the members Of Congress the
order was received with establishment.
Statement May Be Sought.
Senator Reed. chairman of the COM
mittee on manufactures, which is in
vestigating the coal shortage. is today
considering whether DR.. Harry A. Gar
field. fuel administrator. should be
called before the committee to make a
statement regarding the order halting
the use of coal by the industries of the
country for five days. beginning tomor-
row. and every Monday thereafter for a
number OF weeks.
Il cannot say just now what the COM
mittee will do" said Senator Reed to-
day. I'VE will know more about it to-
morrow"
Senator Reed was asked his opinion
of the order issued by the fuel admin
istrator-
Il have Just talked with a practical
man. who has been connected with
large business Institutions" said Sena-
tor Reed. "He is utterly wanting in
those Intellectual qualities which en-
able man to be above practical things
Asks stumping Question.
gle said that a great number of
factories of the United States have coal
on hand in large amounts. 1t is not
proposed to confiscate this coal Why,
then. should the factories with coal on
hand be compelled to suspend? Why
should they not be permitted to run as
long as they have coal to run?
If coal can be secured for the people.
well and good. But it is not contem-
plated that the coal shall be taken
away from the factories that already
have IT. why. then. turn millions Of
people out Of work. causing the loss
of millions in wages. and stopping
work on war munitions?
Being a practical man, he asked
this foolish question. l confess l am
unable to answer it.
Deplores Hasty Condemnation.
Senator Jones of New Mexico, another
member Of the manufactures commit
tee and a supporter of the fuel admin
istration: The people of the country
have not yet realized the extent to
which we have entered this war, nor
have they realized what a shift to the
war basis must mean. Those in charge
Of the administration have a broad
view of the whole situation. Before
|condemning their action in issuing this
order careful consideration of the ma
tional situation should be had"
Senator Vardaman. a third member of
the investigating committee, said: IT
think the order is unfortunate. 1t Is
evident that some very disastrous
bungling is being done here"
Senator Sherman of Illinois, republi-
can: Il am opposed to this order. 1t is
another case of an indiscriminate order
from a bureau which is ignorant of
manufacturing conditions. and will
create havoc in the United States"
Evidence of Incompetency."
Senator New of Indiana, republican:
IT am wondering if any further evil
dence of the incompetency of the fuel
administration is needed"
Senator Pomerene, democrat, of Ohio:
TT may be necessary, but if it is I'll
have to be shown.
Senator Hoke Smith of Georgia: "Of
course, it is of the utmost Importance
that coal be furnished to prevent hu-
man suffering. l am hardly prepared
to discuss the order. l am not con-
vinced that it is necessary and don't re-
call any language In the food bill or
any other passed by Congress that
authorizes it."
"Dumfounded," He Saws.
Representa- tive Parker of New Jersey.
This is most astounding situation.
What can one say about It, and what
does 1t mean. 1t is a most unusual
thing, and for the moment 1 am dunn
founded.
Representative J. Hampton Moore of
| Pennsylvania: This order will be a very
severe test. and will bring about a
| tremendous upheayal In the industries
of our section. / am not sure yet what
| we can do about it. Anything that can
down should be done. not only to save
| the loss in wages to the employees. but
| to prevent the great overhead waste,
The government will ultimately feel the
effect as well as the Individual"
Representative J. T. Maher of New
York, chairman Of the House commit
tee on labor: II can't believe any such
! drastic action is necessary. 1t will
cause terrible hardship and injustice to
| labor. 1t Will throw hundreds of thou
| sands out of work who cannot afford
IT. This is going too far We should
! not be carried Off our feet"
Representative Henry T. Rainev Of
| Illinois. member of the House Commit
tee on ways and means: ITS the first
battle. We must fight and win 1t at
home. The proceeding is so radical
| that the necessity for the order must
be great. The proposition should be
supported by the people"
Confusion Worst COMPOUNDED"
Representative William A, Roden-
| burg of Illinois. member of the rules
| lcoynmittee; ut is confusion worst CON.