New-York tribune., 1918-01-29
Nearly All Businesses Close
Down-Twenty Violators
Face Prosecution
Relief Is Halted
BY the Weather
Less Than Usual Daily Quota
Of Coal Is Received
Here

mcnt OF Justice operatives worked to-
Gether in New York yesterday with
such good results that the city's second
workless Monday found practically
every business but that of moving fuel
and freight abandoned for twenty-four
hours
According to Federal fuel admins
traitors, patriotism was the potent
agency that caused the great majority
OF business men, both big and little, to
close for the day. The Department Of
Justice men, who worked with the po-
lice and amateur investigators, combed
the city for volators Of the Garfield
order who were not influenced by this
consideration, with The result that 1865
stores were forced to close their doors
IN unwilling compliance with the de-
cree during the day, and at least twcn-
ty violators will face prosecution to-
day.
But as means of conscr, ing fuel
and increasing the deliveries Of coal to
the city the day could not be classed as
complete success. Nature again in
tcrvened, clogging railroads and lcav-
ing the coal pockets on the Jersey side
of the North River scarcely half full.
with the result that the armies Of
workers dispatched 20 the other side of
the harbor for coal spent much of the
day i'll idlencss
Only 19,500 Tons Reach City
When the totals were compiled for
the day it was found that only 1o,5OO
tons of coal had reached New York
This is just $500 tons below the aver.
age delivered here during the present
1sm'nc. Since it had been hoped to
make use of the idle labor and mcchan-
zeal energies of the city to move fuel,
the figures furnished crowning disap-
pointment for the city's fuel men.
Practically all Of the 165 stores that
were found to be doing business in vio-
lation of the closing order were closed
as soon as their owners discovered
that the shut-d down was backed by Fed
cral Investigators and threats Of prose-
cution. Several others were found,
however. who argued with the Depart
ment Of Justice men, with the rcsul.
that evidence was obtained against
them and placed in the hands of United
States District Attorney Cafey.
Reeve Schley, administrator for New
York County. announced that the candy
stores of George W. Loft had been
found open in violation of the decree
by investigators who visited each one
of them. The sale Of candy and soda
water had been prohibited, he said.
even though sandwiches were classified
under the order as exempt.
1t was said that an investigator had
called at each of the Loft stores, had
found that candy was being sold and
had purchased packages to be used rs
evidence in the prosecution Of the case
II was said that the Loft concerna
claim exemption on the ground tina.
light lunches arc served at the soda
fountains. But even if they remained
open for this purpose, Mr.. Schley held
they would not be justified in carry
ing on their confectionery business a.
usual.
Shortage in Fuel Shipment
The opening Of the day found the
freight receiving departments and the
coal Easements of practically all big
industries in greater New York ready
to cooperate in clearing up freight
congestion and the movement of fuel.
But when the workers arrived at the
docks in New Jersey. from which the
hn ii 1
railroad congestion had prevented the
shipping of sufficient fuel to them to
keep the workers busy.
One big pier at Perth Amboy that
provides much of the fuel for the city
had just enough coal on hand to keep
the workers busy one fourth of the
day. Another had only three cars of
fuel on the sidings. While none of the
other terminals were in quite as bad
shape as these two. it was agreed that
conditions. due almost exclusively to
the weather, hardly could have been
worse for the movement of coal.
BY evening lO4 barges loaded to
their capacity with coal had been towed
away IRON tidewater terminals. pro-
viding total of 1876 tons Of coal of
all grades for waiting ships and New
England points. From this store came
the ci1y's meagrc supplies.
At that hour there were seventy
three more barges loaded and ready for
movement But the almost complete
breakdown of the harbors towing
facilities was declared to be responsible
for the tying up Of this additional
80 ,696 tons of coal. Tugs could not be
found last night for the movement Of
these barges, but il is hoped that they
will be moved early this morning.
Many Tugs Laid Up
At the headquarters of the harbor
commissioner it was explained that
twentyfour railroad owned tugs were
out OF commi ssion and fifty-one more
belonging to towing companies were
laid up because of their numerous bat
ties with the ice foes that still clog
the river and harbor. Until these boats
can be replaced the towing of fuel
to the city will be a slow and difficult
process.
This morning every effort will be
made to increase the quantity OF coal
reaching the city in order to assure a
continuous supply of fuel for the in
dustries that are working at top speed