South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-01-22
HEATLESS MONDAY
WELL OBSERVED
Reports to Administrator Gar
field Indicate Success of
New Schedule.
international News Service

Interna tiOnal News Service:
WASHINGTON, Jan. 21.-Heat-
less Monday added it's handicap to
industry throughout the nation to-
day Throughout the entire eastern
half OF the United States the ma
jority Of retail establishments clos
ed their doors in obedience TO the
mandate Of the fuel commissioner,
Dr. Harry A. Garfield.
Early reports received at the fuel
administration indicated that the
observance of the enforced holiday
was general. The majority Of people
in the cities made no effort to get
down town from their homes; su-
burbanites remained close TO the
furnace while the railroads ana
local transportation companies op-
Grated on their regular Sunday
schedule. This plan will continue
through all Mondays until the end
of March.
Food Stores Open.
The only change made was TO al
low the stores which sold food to
remain open throughout the day in
stead Of shutting down at I o'clock
as had originally been planned. This
concession made by DR.. Garfield fol-
lowed notification reaching him
from the majority OF his subordinate
fuel administrators, that local sem
timeht would uphold dealers in
fOOdstuffs i'm defying the law. These
local men who know the temper OF
their communities made il very
plain 10 DR.. Garfield that under no
circumstances could he expect to Sc
cure convictions against any man
who kept his store open to sell
alone.
Early reports reaching here in
Dictated that the utmost confusion
prevailed in many cities over the
question of operating elevators and
keeping lighting plants burning.
Many local administrators had rul-
eG that no elevators whatever be
allowed TO run. Inasmuch as many
Of factory operators in large cities
keep two or three elevators running
Sundays as a matter OF accommoda-
ton to tenants who have real bust
ness there the superintendent IS Of
this character Of buildings had put
into effect their Sunday schedule.
This was not satisfactory to the fuel
administrators, however. as they
had demanded that all buildings be
left entirely without elevator service
in order to discourage tenants COM
ing to their office.
Some SkepticaI at Rail. Dads.
Although the officials at the fuel
administration offices here insisted
today that the general shutdown OF
industry is rapidly solving the fuel
shortage throughout the country
private messages reaching senator's
ard representative take sharp issue
with this claim. The latter messages
Insist that the railroads are not OPP
Grating at top speed and that in adj
dition the severe weather which pre-
walls again over most of the country
makes top speed operation an i'm
possibility even though the railroad
officials should desire it. And there
is very great skepticism here in
washington over the attitude Of the
railroad officials.
It seemed certain, however, that
the movemenr Of empty cars toward
the mines has at least been started.
Railway Director McAdoO received
a report from A. II. Smith, director
Of the eastern railway systems say
ing, that not less than 10000 emp
ties have been released from tide
water and big eastern terminals and
are now on their way back 10 the
mining centers. This report said that
the general Improvement in condi-
tons could be expected TO continue.
Inasmuch as new demurrage rates,
ranging from so 10 100 percent
higher than those previously in
practice went into effect by order
of Director McAdoo today it is be-
lieved that the general unloading
Of cars will be FASTENED.
Refuse 10 Take Freight.
Most of the railroads throughout
the country today were refusing TO
accept freight Of any sort. They had
closed their freight depots to all in
coming freight in order that they
could work all men at top speed
relieving the congestion in the
freight houses.
The cold weather is reducing
equipment at a dangerous rate. The
severe cold is causing steel draw
bars and brake rods to snap while
hundreds of hopper cars have been
nut out Of commission because the
frozen snow and ice between the
rails have caught on the hopper
triggers and released the loads caus-
ing derailing accidents. This is
condition that cannot be remedied
until tho weather moderates.