The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1918-01-22
Tuesday: Jan. %, 1918.
SAVING FUEL.


davs. and that, after that time, they
close each Monday for a period OF
ten weeks, and that business houses
and other places of business using
fuel. do likewise, was, at first, on
account of its suddeness "paraly-
zer" as a distinguished lawyer IN
an adjoining county is accustomed
to describe his arguments in court.
But when the people had time to con-
slider, and think the matter over,
the order had the approval of peo-
pie everywhere.
The effect of the order will
he to make hardships in some cases,
no doubt, but this country is at war;
and the war must be won. The Or
der will loosen up the coal situation
which has been acute for sometime,
and it will tend to solve the conges-
ton in freight. The government
likely has other things in mind In
making the order. At any rate it IS
. the order of those in command. and
it is for every loyal man to obey
without question, whatever may pe
his private opinion as to the neces-
sity for the order.
In Abbeville, we are of the opin.
ion that nothing better could have
happened. The order has had the
effect of closing the stores in the
city at six o'clock, something which
should have been the practice here
for a good many years. 1t will give
the statesmen and salesladies time at
home to which they are richly en-
titled. The merchants themselves
will profit by the change. They Will
have time to spend at home, on their
farms, and in looking after other
business which they do not now
have. Nor will any business be lost.
Instead of the salesmen working fo-
a few hours and then standing
around for another few hours until
some other crowd gets ready to
trade, they will come down in the
morning refreshed from the previ-
Gus afternoons rest, and will &C
about their work more cheerfully,
and will do better and more efficient
work. The people who have shop
ping to do will do it and 60 home.
The plan for the stores to close
for one day in the week, too, should
be made permanent from Jany. 1st,
to Sept. 1st., only the stores might
easily close for two or even three
days in the week. In this way the
merchants. could. give better atten-
ton to business. The goods could
be sold on the three or four days
when the. stores are open, and on
the other days the merchants, all of
whom are interested in farming and
farms, either directly or indirectly,
with the assistance of the clerks
could visit every farm in which they
are interested, see. that the crops
are being properly worked, the stock
on the farms properly cared for, the
bitches properly cleaned, and that
the premises generally: were in pro-
per shape. In this way better. crops
would be grown, more corn and food
stuffs would be grown, accounts
would be kept more in line with the
promised results. of the. crops, and
much more money made and much
less lost on bad accounts. .:*; ..
There are millions. Of dollars
worth of good time. ~! thrown: !,w!nl: away away
all over the country; by n merchants h NJ
sitting around stores, professionasl!
men around offices, and others whit
tling goods boxes, which if properly
employed would make enough bread
and meat to feed the army in France;
The immediate call however is to
help the country win the war. 1t IS
call to the patriotism of the peo-
ple, and the people will mark those
who fail to heed the CALL. 49," -
-. .:, .. :::.:;: : s,