The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1918-01-19
SHIPS BUNKERED
AFTERLONC WAIT
Fue! Agents Giving First Atten-
tion to Army Supply Vessels
Tied Up in Ports.
PAYMENT OF WAGES URGED
DR.. Garfield Emphasizes Pa
triotism of Action-PYeferred
Glass Getting Released Coal.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 19.-AIthough
much of the confusion attending' the
enforcement Of the fuel administra-
tion's five-day closing order continued
today il was evident that it's applica-
tion would be far less drastic than
first believed.
A list of interpretations in specific
cases which probably will be given
general application was being prepared
by fuel officials from which minor ex-
emptions may result to supplement
special rulings made yesterday. In ad-
dition it was announced that state fuel
administrators may be expected to
make further exemptions in the case of
food producing plants and related in
dustries.
Backed by vigorous defense of Pres
ident Wilson, who yesterday gave his
full support to the closing order as i'm
perative to release coal to move sup
plies to the American army and the
allies DR.. Garfield today gave his at
tention to the situation at Atlantic
ports. Fuel administration agents
have been sent, to seabord points and
will remain there until all ships held
up are bunkered.
Begins to Divert Coal.
On instructions from DirectorGen-
eral McAdoo to cooperate with the
fuel administration railroad officials
set about directing coal shipments to
the preferred class of shipping inter-
ests. householders, hospitals. public
utilities and others whom the order
does not affect
Suggestions that railroad embargo
be placed on shipment of goods from
factories shut down was overruled by
the director general. Few violations
have been noted by fuel officials and
these, il was believed. were due to
misunderstanding. In some cases
even state fuel administrators have not
understood the order.
For Those Paying Wages.
The governments desire that plants
affected by the order pay their en-
ployes' wages during the closed pc
riod was emphasized today in the fol-
lowing telegram to state adminlStra-
tors signed by DIR. Garfield:
'Will you kindly give public ex-
preston of my appreciation of the
public spirited and patriotic ac-s
tion of employers In the state who
may determine to pay the wages of
their employees during the suspen-
sion period specified in the regula-
tion Of January II. They are bear
ing their share of the sacrifice
which we are all called upon to
make to the common good"
Enough in Four Days.
Enough bunker coal will reach the
docks in the next three days, it was
,,aiI erppIy chinq now awaiting
fuel.
Fuel administration officials predict
that II will be at least a week before
coal mines tegin to resolve empty cars
necessary to keep production at
maximum.
1t was made clear today that indus
tries producing materials on which
munitions plants are dependent are
excepted from provisions of the closing
order. This application will permit the
operation of virtually all mines pro-
ducing metals and ore.
Different Tone Noted.
The fuel administration today ruled
that lumber producing concerns work
ing on orders for the emergency feet
corporation and for the aircraft pro-
duction board are exempt. ..
Fuel administration officials said the
tone of kilograms coming was entirely
different from those OF yesterday and
that most of them either approved the
governments action or expressed will
ingness to cooperate.
Homes and public utilities were re-
ceiving supplies of fuel diverted from
the industries closed down.
The diversion was delaying delivery
and unloading and slowing up the
movement of empty cars back to the
mines. Coal production for the next
few days probably will be far below
normal, but fuel administration Off
ciafs expect it to increase as soon as
the flow of empties is uLder way.
Western Tie-up Serious.
The railroad si-uatio in the middle
west was so severe that 1t was sug-
gested to Secretary McAdoo, director
general of railroads, that about .alf of
the present trains there be suspended
for two days to release locomotives for
freight. At the same time the railroad
was rushing locomo-
tives out of repair shops and from rail-
roads in the west to help get trains
the heavy snow drifts in states
along the Ohio river.
The shipping board and the war and
navy departments turned their atten-
ton to speeding up loading arrange |
ments and to pcrfecting a plan for |
more efficiency in loading and unload |
ing.
Work on Fleet Goes On.
After requests from the shipping |
board, the fuel administration today |
ruled that lumber mills working on |
fleet contracts are exempt |
from the order, but at the same time !
I refused to exempt long list of in |
iustries which government officials |
wanted excepted because they are de- !
;lared to be working on war orders.