The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1918-01-18
DIR. GARFIELDS ORDER

DR. Garfield's drastic order is the first
war measure that has failed to meet with
a hearty, friendly response from the people.
Instead of spontaneous willingness TO Co
operate, it is quite evident that a feeling of
resentment prevails through the country.
This is not because the American people
are unwilling to make any sacrifice or glad
" accept any burden that may be neces-
sary to meet the abnormal conditions re-
sulting from the war, but because they
lack confidence in the fuel administrator
Judgment. They do not believe the sus-
pension of practically all industry will inn
prove general conditions and there is a
tendency TO believe that the order is really
intended to brighten the American people
into realization of the seriousness of the
war rather than TO, in itself, correct the
coal shortage.
Many who are loyal in their support of
the government believe DIR. Garfield has
taken snap judgment in reaching most
important decision.
Following SO closely upon the exhorta-
tions from Washington to speed up pro-
duction to the utmost capacity of every
mine and factory and mill, it is difficult to
grasp the logic of an enforced period of un-
productiveness, of closing practically all
workshops, of throwing millions into en-
forced idleness
1t is quite probable that general observ-
ance of the order, coming as it does with
out notice and with no opportunity Tor adj
vance preparation, will result in i money
loss greater than the value of the thirty
million tons of coal which it is hoped will
be saved by the program Closing plants
such as the Newport Turpentine & Rosin
Company, which must necessarily operate
continuously if they are to operate at all,
presents problems too serious to be solved
without exhaustive study and considera-
ton. Suspending the ice plants upon
which our fishing industry depends, with
out giving the fish producers reasonable
notice, might easily result in a waste of
food far more valuable than the fuel re-
CURED to make the ice which would save
it,
OF course there will be exemptions to
the rule as originally promulgated but, un-
fortunately, the notifications and inter
pretations will be received too late to- in
many instances, prevent unnecessary loss.
Chaos prevailed in local business circles
yesterday, none knew just what was ex-
pected of them and no definite official in
formation was available. This condition
was multiplied throughout the country and
American industry experienced the great
est turmoil of all history. The only ray of
hope lay in the Associated Press dispatch
which stated that following storm of pro-
test from all sections of the country Mr.
Garfield had been summoned before the
senate committee and that the order would
probably be suspended, at least until the
various industries could make some prepa-
ration to meet it. While the order official
" went into effect at midnight, it quite
probably will be modified or suspended
Suspension would mean that it will never
be enforced, because it is certain that less
costly and more effective relief can be
found if the matter is submitted to a quail
fed body OF business men.
However, if it is demonstrated that the
best interests OF the entire country will be
served by cessation of all industry, then
the American people will accept it, but
they will ask that the necessity be made
clear and that they be given ample oppor-