Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-01-19
Transportation Congestion
in-East Being Overcome
in Large Part.
MANY EXEMPTIONS
ASSIST BUSINESS
Confusion Still Evident and Few
Empty Cars Finding Way Back to
Mines-Enoush Bunker Coal to Reach
Docks in Few Days to Permit Supply
Ships to Depart For Europe-MeAdoo
ouizzed by Committee. -. ......

fuel administration tOOdy SAo" tAoiiS
portation congestion thruout the east
being cleared. Few empty cars, how
ever. have begun to move back yet to
the coal mines. Serious consideration
was given by Fuel Administrator Gar
field today to the request Of theaters
that they be permitted to. close on
Tuesdays rather than on Mondays.
Altho much Of the confusion attend
ing the enforcement Of the closing or
der continued today it was evident that
Its application would be far less dras-
tic than at first believed.
A list Of interpretations in specific
cases was being prepared by fuel Of
ficials, from which minor amendments
may result. In addition 1t was an
nounced that food administrators may
be expected to make further exemp-
tions in the case Of food plants and re-
lated industries.
Exemptions Relieve Situation.
Considerable relief was expressed by
officials here when 1t was learned that
EUst OF this plants engaged in war " ork
Ind been exempted.
Backed by vigorous defense Of the
president, 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.
Coal For Ships Arriving.
Enough bunker coal will reach the
docks in the next three or four days to
supply all ships now awaiting it.
Bunkering, however, depends very
largely on handling facilities after the
fuel is unloaded on the docks.I Fuel
administrators predicted it would be at
least week before coal mines would
begin to receive empty cars in num-
bers necessary to keep production at q
maximum. Confusion resulting from
diversion Of coal at destination caused
sewing up the movement Of empty cars
back to the mining districts.
Exemptions Extended.
It was made clear today that indus
tries producing, materials on which
munition plants are dependent are
excepted from the provisions OF the
Z closing order.
This application will permit the
operation Of virtually all mines pro-
ducing metal and ore.
The fuel administration ordered that
lumber companies working on con-
tracts for the government for shipping
and aeroplane Manufacture are ex-
empted.
There was said to be a different
tone to telegrams coming to the fuel
administration today, many expressing
willingness to cooperate in every way.
Theaters will be permitted to close
some other day than Mondays-pro;,-
ably Tuesdays-under a new decision
made today by the fuel administration.
The day Will be announced later.
Ships Receiving Coal.
Ships in Hampton Roads are receiv-
ing bunker coal today faster than at
any time In many weeks, according to
reports to the fuel administration. Fuel
was said to be moving in freely.
The domestic supply moving to New
York was said to be greater than in
three or four weeks. Milder weather
which facilitated water transportations
between New York and New Jersey
points aided the movement.
Wilson Takes Responsibility.
Assumption by the president Of full
responsibility for the order curtailing
all industries east Of the Mississippi
and the issuing of a statement by Fuel
Administrator Garfield in defense Of
his course were the principal develop
ments at the opening Of the workless
holidays.
"This war calls for many Sacrifices"
the president said, land sacrifices OF
the sort called for by this order are in
finitely less than sacrifices Of life,
which might otherwise be involved"
The president said the nation Is
"upon war footing" and he was con-
fident the people are willing to OBJ
serve the same sort of discipline that
might be involved in the actual con-
hict itself"
4 Garfield Stands Pat.
4 After wcathcrlng a storm of attack
\ and hearing thousands OF appeals for
exemption Of industries. DR.. Garfield
3 continued to stand pat. The order was
D drastic, he admitted, but war Is
4 drastic = - II s. ~ - -7
iDr. Garfield made an indirect appeal
4 sto capital to pay the wages of labor
b thtUwn out Of work during the four
& feen days on which, plants will be
The burden must not Be shifted
lS y s5ssssS