Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1918-02-02
Diretor General 'McAdoo and.
Fuel Administrator Garfield.
Consider AdvisabiIity Of
Withdrawing Rule,
BENEFITS EXPECTED
HAVE NOT MATERIALIzED
After Discussion of Problem
Opinion Expressed That
Coal Shortage Is Wholly
One of Transportation.

49," "-"'"'3 'ousSt' s-sc,.t 'rse-~ ""s-'
Waehin"tor, Fob -Ahandnn-
nent of the heatless Monday program
was considered today by Fuel Admin
istrator Garfield and Director Cen
eral of Railroads McAdoo
It was announced lattr that the
closing order would remain in effect
next Monday, but that on Tuesday a
conference would be held to determine
whether it should be rescinded before
Monday, February H.
1t was considered that the fuel
problem is purely one of transporta-
ton. :.
Mr.. McAdoo and DR.. Garfield issued
this joint statement
I'VE have had under consideration
the question of suspending after Mon
day next the Monday closing order,
We have not reached a final conclu
sion. We shall have another confer
ence Tuesday next, when the results
of the Monday closings and of the
railroad embargoes up to that time
can be fully considered and shall be
able to make an announcement next
week as to whether or not suspen
sion Of the Monday closing order may
be made"
Three Are Observed.
Ten heatless Mondays were decreed
by the fuel administration January
II as measure to save coal and re-
lieve railroad transportation. Next
Monday will be the third observed.
~,
by a five-day industrial shutdown, at
the close of which eastern railroads
at the direction of Director General
McAdoo put on embargoes against the
movement of general freight
The Monday closing has brought
the most vigorous opposition from
commercial interests, particularly the
big department stores. The small
stores, too, have opposed it, as have
the owners of office buildings Thea
ters succeeded in having the day as
applied to them changed to Tuesday.
Depend on Embargoes.
1t was stated officially tonight that
the reason a final decision was not
reached was because complete reports
ing the exact results of the five days
closing and the effects of operation
of the embargoes to date. Both Mr..
McAdoo and DR.. Garfield are of the
opinion, it was said, that since the
coal problem is largely one of trans
portation embargoes will bring results
without continuance of the Monday
closngs.
Nine days enforcement of the en-
bargoes, it is held has improved the
situation as much as would have an
observance of nine heatless Mondays,
although bad weather has slowed up
coal movement. The fuel administra-
TONS preferential order calling for
the distribution of coal first to house
holders, ships, public institutions and
favored war industries, will stand as
well as will the railroad adniinistra-
tons order giving preferential rail-
movement to coal and food. These
two orders, it is declared will guaran-
tee coal to consumers which the gov
ernment is determined to see supplied
although the less essential Industries
are expected to suffer and some may
have to close. ...
Weather Change May Help.
Officials make no secret of the fact
that had rail embargoes been declared
in the first place the industrial clos
ing order would not have been issued
The embargoes were placed at the
urgent request of the fuel adminstra-
ton, which contended that the effects
of the closing order would be nullified
by weather conditions unless the steps
were taken.
Officials of the railroad administra-
ton believe a return of good weather
will speedily restore the transporta-
ton system, and that this will solve
the fuel problem. They say Monday
closing has disorganized Industrial ac-
tivities and actually has hampered
railroad operations by making it i'm
possible to load and unload cars
promptly.
Fuel Administrator Garfield has not
been ready to revoke the closing or
der, despite the great amoent Of
pressure brought to bear by CONNER
cial interests, until assured that the
embargoes will be continued. Since
he now has this assurance as result
of the conference today, he is pre-
pared to rescind the order IL reports
from state fuel administrators show
that the closing already effected had
served its purpose.
AT a conference here next Monday
of thirteen state fuel administrators,
called today, DIR. Garfield expects to
get complete informationson the coal
situation.