Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-01-14
FUEL SITUATION
AT ACUTE STAGE
New York Industries Will Likely
Be Ordered to Shut
Down.
TRAINS CANNOT BE MOVED
Heavy Snow and Disabled Loco
motives Prevent Nov
ing Of Cars.

NEW YORK. January i2-"rh. sit-
ua,ion is 80 serious for New York as
regards coal supplies tina, inside OF
twenty -four hours many industries viii
be forced 10 close down"
This statement was made tonight
by Albert II. Wigsin. state fuel ad-
ministrator, as he left conference
of various officials. Mr.. Wissn said
the ncw cold wa:c had filled the rivers
with new ice noes. with the result that
extreme difficulty will be experienced
in moving coal-ladcn harges from New
Jersey points.
Today's conference. followin. ,ha:
OF last nigh, where local fuel adrnin
!strators insisted on q square deal
for the greater city was an import
ant ono and was attended by r r.
Noycs. representing United states Ad-
rninistrator Garfield \. II. Smith. in
charge of the Eastern railroads: Reeve
Schlcy, administrator for New York
Harry #. Ictcrs. OF tho Federal con-
Scr"ation committee and chairman of
New York City'S coal COMMITTEES: ]. w.
SearleS. deputy commissioner Of the
Tidewater Exchange: James A. Hill in
charge OF local bitumiaous deliveries
and w. r. Pollock. OF the marine de-
partmcnt of the Ncv York Central
who is handling the local hartor sit
uation.
MIR. Noyc5 left for Boston tonight,
where he will confer with J. /. Stor.
row. fuel administrator for New Eng
land. on the question OF making an,
drastic conservation measures wide.
spread.
The situation here has reached tn.
stage where necessities must be taker
care OF first. In the preferred elias:
arc hospitals. public utilities and d
number OF other business and indus.
trial concerns. Coal will be delivered
10 them by the dealers ahead OF non
essentials. the exact number OF which
however has in no way been fixed
The discretion OF the dealer is 20 b,
relied upon in most cases
LABOR SITUATION BECOMES
ACUTE AND PREVENTS SHIPPING
The labor situation has grown acute
There arc not enough men to NOV,
coal already at tidcwatcr. and the suc
Ecstion OF using soldiers FOR thi. worl
again has been advanced This matte,
ALREADY has been referred 10 Sccre.ar,
"cAdoo but any order must come from
the War Department.
NouiltE Administrator Schiey rei,cr
ated after the conference today tha,
new York must not be made TO bes
,he burden OF practically half Of In,
country. The 5000 tons per dav a.
bunker coal delivered daily 10 the al.
lied shipping in the harbor mus, bt
discounted and something must be don,
regarding the priority order which al
lows 900 cars OF coal day 20 10 New
England. MIR. Schley said tina; New
Eng land Is not shutting down her in,
dustrics. and actually does not need III,
big priority order.
Numerous more protests pourod ;r
from the theatrical profession over un,
onlcia! suggestions tina, amusomcn
places would be included in wha,cvcr
drastic conservation orders are issue,
here. 1t was emphasized that the Brit,
iSh and French governments had foun,
II of utmost value 10 keep the thea
tcrs going during war times. and loca
officials were inclined 10 favor the sam,
policy here.
Secretary TO the President Tumuity-
who is in town. sent a message TO Dr
Garfield At the bchcst CT the thcatrica
profession. asking that the case of tn,
thcatcrs be heard before any genera
order IS issued.
Mr. NoTes is expected back in Wash
inston tomorrow night or Tucsdal
morning. Cpon the seriousness Of hi.
report will depend Or. Gartield's action
If the storm situation continues bad
as there is every indication to.nish
that ii WILL DR.. Garfield will at one,
issue orders for conservation enectiv,
throughout tho whole Northeastern sec
ton of the country.
GENERAL PLAN PROPOSED
TO AFFORD NEEDED RELIEF
His genera, plan. tentatively draw,
UP tonight is to particularly ration
the country in this order:
/. Householders--C'ries OF distress ar,
coming from all over tho country
thousands are without sufficient fuel
numerous cases of freezing to deatl
are reported in large and small cities
.. Public utilitics-This will includ,
transportation lines. electric service
gas services, water services
3. Munition plants--Tnc supply o
munitions has been 81 great that
temporary slowir : up or possibly ccS
sation will not affect the general re
suit.
DR.. Garfield believes great aid cal