South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-01-17
DEMAND RULE
Be SUSPENDED
FOR HEARINGS
Senators Introduce ReSoIu-
tionS Providing For Delay
in Carrying Out EdiCt Be-
fore investigation.
International News Service:

I
WASHINGTON, Jan. l.. - Sen.
Gallinger, the republican leader of
the senate, and Sen. Hitchcock OF
Nebraska, this afternoon demanded
suspension Of the fuel administra-
tons order closing factories for
five days until protests can be heard.
Both introduced resolutions TO
suspend the order. Sen. Hitch
cocks resolution would suspend the
order for five days to allow the
/ hearing of protests. Sen. GaIlinger's
resolution would make the suspen-
sion indefinite. Sen. Hitchcock de-
manded immediate consideration of
/ the resolution. He took the floor
at once TO urge its adoption.
Gets Legal Advice.
Fuel Administrator Garfield did
not reach his office today until well
after 10 o'clock. He Immediately
/ went into conference with his legal
! experts putting into final shape the
order. an abstract of which had al
/ ready been sent out and made pub
lie. 1t viii be their object to make
the provisions of the order more
/ specific and it was stated that when
: this was accomplished the order
would appear more liberal than az
! first interpreted.
! The fuel administration today
was flooded with protests from all
/ classes of industries in the area af-
fected by the ruling, and with hun
( dreds of queries as TO whether they
/ are included In the curtailment
| plan. DR.. Garfield has designated a
/ special bureau to reply to the thou
/ sands of queries that are expected,
and he said today that the work
would be rushed as much as pos
sible.
Garfield to Rule.
The fuel adm illustrator has siven
no power to any Of the state ad-
ministratOrs TO make rulings. These
will be made by DR.. Garfield him
self, in order that there may be no
possibility of conflicts.
1t became evident before noon
| that there would be a number f
not many important exceptions TO
the order in respect 10 vital war in
Sec'ys Baker and Daniels were at
work on lists of munitions plants
that they held should not be closed
for a moment and that when the
completed order was ISSUED these
plants would be allowed their usual
/ supplies on the holidays
Will Affect Five Millions.
Although official figures were
lacking it was estimated that some
2O,000,000 workers will be affect
ed by the shutting down Of indus
tries. Ii already has been suggested
by officials here that many Of these
workers will he paid at least for a
portion Of the time they lose by
their employers. And, while many
officials who are opposed 10 the or
der were declaring that general la
Dor unrest and strikes were sure 70
follow this view was not held by
the responsib bic officials of the Amer
lean Federation Of Labor. Sec'y
Frank Morrison of that organiza-
ton, seen as he was leaving his
home for headquarters today said:
1T looks TO me as though il was
far better for the workers to lose
hVe days wages than 70 freeze to
death and the latter condition
threatens them if the fuel is not
conserved" ="
Reports Cause No Alarm.
Reports that many heads Of in
dustries throughout the country in
tended 70 appeal to the courts TO
prevent the order being enforced
caused no alarm at fuel admins
tration headquarters. There il was
stated that the order when issued
would be entirely embraced within
the law creating the fuel body and
providing for its powers. Violators
viii be liable TO a fine Of $1,000 and
a years Imprisonment When il was
asked whether this was not a very
slight penalty and one that would
be defed an official said:
Men who defy this order viii
have 20 answer 10 the public for
} their action. Pres't Wilson has ap-
proved this plan because he believes
that il is necessary 10 prevent a very
serious disaster TO the nation.
"As a matter Of fact the present
| issue is above ali law The protec-
/. tion Of its citizens and the preser-
| ,-a.foD % thar lives and their heal h