New-York tribune., 1918-01-18
Labor, Facing Loss of
Wages, Only Class Hos
tile to Restriction
How to Enforce
Decree Is Mystery
J. P. Morgan Counsels Co.
operation With the
Government

New York along with her sister cities
IN every state east of the Mississippi
River and in two states beyond min
nesota and Louisiana-began at the
stroke Of last midnight five day
period Of industrial Information as
prescribed by the national fuel admin
istration.
Shocked, unbeleving, indignant, re-
bellious and at times voicing almost
open revolt during the Gay, the greater
city retired at night in a calmer and
more reconciled frame of mind, in
hucnced on one hand by statements
of men Of affairs that the government
had acted wisely in crisis and on
the other by a disposition to wait and
see what would happen.
Labor alone as a class seemed to re-
main unanimously hostile to the plan.
Prospective loss Of wages running into
millions convinced leaders and the rank
and file that such long period Of
idlencss would be intolerable, and pro-
| tests were voiced both in a food Of
kilograms that descended on Washing
ton and in meetings held throughout
the SetfIs ----. e, ,.,,,,
AS the revolutionary industrial tie
up became operative. local fuel admin
istrators were at loss to know how
to enforce it. State Fuel Administra-
tor Wiggin denied for himself and his
associates that it was incumbent upon
the local fuel administration to inter
pret DR.. Garfield's order, and declared
that successful operation of the plan
would be matter of the conscience"
of the people of New York.
Asked who would enforce the decree,
Mr. Wiggin replied that he Supposed"
the District Attorney would.
Trade Boards Protest
Merchants associations, chambers Of
commerce and industrial organizations
deluged the national capital with COM
plants and suggestions for remedial or
compromise measures; but when it be-
came generally known that the Admin
istration proposed to stand firm there
appeared among many business leaders
here a tendency to make the best of the
situation. j. 2. Morgan in brief state
ment. issued in the afternoon, coun-
selled all to cooperate with the govern
ment in making the order effective. Ii
the administration. with all the facts
before it," had seen tit to take such a
step, he argued, the country must re-
spond.
Mayor Hylan issued statement of
similar import.
Nowhere was there financial panic or
decentralization. Stocks sold off a bit
at the opening of the New York Stock
Exchange, but subsequently the Street
bespoke its confidence in the govern
ment and the future Of industry by a
rise in values that showed gains at
the close. The Cotton Exchange came
oil $40 bale, Il decline predicted on
the prospect Of idle New England
mills.
Railroads Indorse Order
Coal men and the railroads. the two
the Garfield order. recorded their
indorsement For both it will Gre
ate period for recuperation and
relief. While other business takes
"a breathing spell, the roads and the
coal dealers will strive to catch up
Thus from railroad president down to
retail coal dealer all hailed the period
OF industrial suspension with relief,
though many individuals continued to
express their distrust in the com
potency OF Mr.. Garfield
Without waiting for definite orders
from the fuel administration the Steel
interests embraced an the American
Iron and Steel Institute. headed by the
United States Steel Corporation held
a special meeting here and laid plans
for shutting down mills. Judge Gary,
for the Steel Corporation. announced
that the company had set on foot prep
arations for closing "certain Of its
plants,' beginning to-day.
Exchange to Stay Open
Banks, barring unforeseen develop
ments, will not be closed either during
the tive days of INDUSTRIAL inactivity
or on the successive Mondays, begin
ming on Monday next. Similarly, the
Stock Exchange will remain open
AS industrial plants only are con-
cerned in the order effective to day, de-
partmcnt stores will do business as
usual the remainder Of this week, but
on Monday they will face the naugu-
ration Of the holiday series regime. as
will restaurants. saloons and all estab-
lishmcnts not dealing with foods and
drugs. Apparently there is nothing to
prevent restaurant or saloon, heatless
and lightless, remaining open, provided
it can induce overcoated and ear mutfed
patrons to enter and endure.
Laundries. apparently, are to be shut
down beginning to-day, a situation
which may prove embarrassing If
they remsin closed week, it was
pointed out last night, there will ac-
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