Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1918-01-17

Washington. Jan. 16.-Aneric :
manufacturing enterprises with but
few exceptions in all States east of
the Mississippi river were ordered by
the government tonight to suspend op-
erations for five days beginning Fri
day morning as drastic measure for
relieving the fuel famine.
At the same time as a further means
OF relief it was directed that industry
and business generally, including all
FORMAL activities that require heated
'uildings. observe as holiday every
honday for the next ten weeks. This
will close down on Mondays not only
factories, but saloons, stores except for
the sale of drugs and food. places OF
amusement and nearly all office build
ngs.
While the order does not mention
shipyards. it is known that they will
oe permitted to continue operations as
usual, although munitions plants will
be closed.
GENUINE SURPRISE SPRUNG.
The governments move came sud-
'irely without warning in an order is
sued by Fuel Administrator Garfield
with the approval of President Wilson
prescribing stringent restrictions gov
erning the distribution and use of coal
President and government heads as
desperate remedy for the fuel crisis
and the transportation tangle in the
eastern States. Even munition plants
are not excepted from the closing down
order.
Officials tonight would not discuss the
far-reaching effects the action would have
on the industrial fabric, and questions as
to how the order was to be interpreted to
meet specific problems went unanswered
PREFERENTIAL CONSUMERS.
The order prescribes preferential list
OF consumers in whose interest it was
drawn. These users will get coal in the
following order:
Railroads. household consumers. hospi-
tails, charitable institutions and army
and navy cantonments.
Public utilities, telephone and telegraph
plants.
Strictly government enterprises, except
ing factories and plants working on gov
ernment contracts.
Public building and necessary govern
ment, State and municipal requirements.
Factories producing pershable foods and
foods for immediate consumption.
Announcement of their provisions of the
order was made by Fuel Administrator
which was attended also by Secretaries
Baker and Daniels. Earlier In the day
or. Garfield had sought the views of
'ther ohlcials and it was the unanimous
pinion that the measure contemplated
Tas necessary under the circumstances.
AS at first drawn and as approved at
ne White House the order called for the
losing Of factories beginning tomorrow
morning. This was changed upon the
consideration Of the confusion which
would result when millions of workers
went TO their duties unaware Of the gov.
,rnment's step.
WAR INDUSTRIES NOT EXEMPT.
Inclusion of war industries among those
10 which the fuel will be denied caused
some surprise, but fuel officials ex-
planned tonight that war plants have been
producing SO much more material than the
transportation systems can handle that
no serious effects will be felt. Wal
supplies manufactured for export have
moved to seaboard faster than ships
can move them.
An exception Is made in the case Of ship
building plants because OF the great need
FOR vessels to move supplies alread,
ready for shipment overseas.
| Fuel administration officials will make
an effort to increase production at the
coal mines during the period that othel
business p suspended. Mines under con
tract to supply industries shut dowr
will be directed in supplementary order.
to send out their output elsewhere. Goa
oaded and on its way to these indus
.ries will he diverted.
EXPECT BIG SAVING.
II was estimated tonight the enforce
ment Of the order would save a total o.
100000 tons of bituminous coal, whicl
probably is about half the present short
age. The indications were that at In,
end Of the ten weeks of Monday holi
days a permanent policy of restricte,