Arizona republican., 1918-01-18
FUEL ADMINISTER A TTON PUTS SIGNATURE UPON ORDER TO
 CLOSE EASTERN FACTORIES
Senate Resolution Asking
 Delay Is without Avail; Garfield, Placed on Grill, Defends Course Adopted
Republican A. P. Leased Wirel


 WASHINGTON, Jan. 17-Whie a storm of protest ragged at the capitol and among business interests through out the nation, Fuel Administrator Garfield tonight signed the order in preparation since yesterday, closing manufacturing plants east of the Mis- sIssippi river for five days, beginning at nnidnioht tonight and stopping vir- tualiy all business activity on every Monday for period of ten weeks, be- ginning January 21.
 With the full support of President Wilson, the fuel administrator attached his signature to the mandate as the senate was preparing to vote on a resolution which # passed 20 minutes later, requesting him to postpone sc- ton for five days. Dr.. Garfield would not comment on the senate action, but 1t was stated at the fuel administra- ton that the resolution would have no effect upon the order,
 Seldom has Washington seen a day of more stirring activity. Congress paid little attention to any other sub ject during the day and officials qen- erslly, few of whom had known the or der was imminent, talked of little else.
 pr. Garfield was the storm center during the morning when his office was swamped with telephone calls, in the afternoon when he was haIed be- fore senate committee and toniqht when he finally issued the order.
 The order as signed and sent out tonight to state fuel administrators for enforcement contained but few chances from the form of an abstract given out by the fuel administration last night. Nor did it clear up to any great extent the confusion resulting from lack of detailed legislation.
 supplementary statement issued with the order embraced a list of in- dustries engaged in imperative work which will be exempted from the or der's enforcement. 1t includes ship yards engaged in naval work, a few plants turning out products needed in- mediately by the army and navy and portions of plants producing tubing. The list was prepared by Secretaries Baker and Daniels.
 Although no formal announcement was made the shipping board has been assured that ali shipyards will be ex- empted.
 Congress was in 7n uproar from the time it assembled until it adjourned | tonight. The zsnate resolution was passed, 50 to 19, after many senators had denounced the order as unwise and unnecessary. In Ene house objection prevented consideration of the resoIu- monious debate.
 Tonight it was indicated that an ap peal might be made to President Will son. The suggestion also was heard that the food control bill, under which Dr. Garfield acted, might be repealed, but there appeared little prospect that this would be done since it hardly could be accomplished before the five day period was over.
 Claim Authority Exceeded
 Many senators, when they heard that the order would be carried out, insisted that the fuel administration was eX- ceeding its authority and that it could not prevent an owner of fuel from using stores in his possession. Fuel administration officials, however. pointed to provisions of the act i'm posing heavy penalties on any one who violates regulations President Wilson may prescribe under the act
 Although first interpretations of the order indicated that its provisions would not apply to the use of wood, oil gas and other forms of fuel, it was de- clared tonight that fuel of every de- scription was intended. Production of fuel will not be interfered with ill any way.
 In statement justifying his action Dr. Garfield declared that the chief consideration prompting it was the ne- cessity for supplying American troops abroad and furnishing the allies with . food and supplies. The country. he said, is suffering from over production and can well suspend manufacturing enterprises for short time. | ta rI,s &, New York harbor Dr. Garfield tonight Sent to New York one of his assistants who will remain there until bunker coa is moving freely. Ships bunkers, un- : der the closing order, are put in a pre- ferential class along with household , users, public utilities and other con- , sumers on whose coal uses there are ne , restrictions.
 Many Regions Protest Protests came from every region il the country. Business organization. flooded the fuel administration. tn, . White House and congress with tcie- n grams asking to be heard before ths order became effective. The war ser vice committee of the chamber of com l merce of the United States intercepte, . Dr. Garfield at the capitol and aftel an hours conference issued state
 ment filled with objections to the plar - but saying that now it had been or [ dered it should be complied with Toy ally.
 Organized labor's attitude was set forth tonight by Samuel Com II pers, president of the American II Federation of Labor, who issued statement declaring the workers of
 the nation, although they would be
 the chief sufferers, would maintain e loyal stand. Doubt was expressed by MT. Gompers that the five day S suspension was the best way to
 meet the situation and he suggested
 that wiser course would have
 been to place all industries on an
 eight hour basis during the war.
 pr. Garfield appealed tonight v through the press to all employers ~ affected by the order to pay their q employees while their plants are closed just as if they were in full operation.
 n 1t is their patriotic duty,v pr.
 Garfield said, "and they should rise
 to the occasion"
 To keep up a maximum fuel pro ductcion Dr. Garfield tonight W re {, coal operators who are under contrac ~ to supply industries which will b "a closed, to ship their coal as usue consigning it to state administrator 70 with draft attached. The governmen = thus will become purchaser of d coal mined which the consignee i
 forbidden to receive. Twenty-fiV
 million dollars will be set aside fo
 purchases.
 .d Dr. Garfield today telegraphed [ " John P. White. head of the -uel ad m ministration's labor division. who ] IS at Indianapolis, to inform the mir.er m 1 that the closing order VII not sinN