Evening star., 1918-02-02
HEATlE% DAYS MAY
END NEXT MONDAY
Continuance Of Coal Saving
Order for Fuel Period
Thought Unnecessary.
CONFERENCE ON TUESDAY

(OVFGn6NO6 ON tOCSO1i
Naxt Monday may BE- the last of the
'heatless days. under the Garfield
ccal-saving order. A anal decision has
not yet been reached, and will not be
until next Tuesday, but following a
confersncs last night between Fuel Ad-
ministrator Garfeid and Director Gem
sral McAdoo. . joint statement was Is
sued Indicating belief that continu-
ance Of the order in effect for the full
period Of ten weeks will not be neces-
sary.
President Wilson was consulted be-
fore issuing the statement. which reads
Is follows:
I'VE have had under consideration
the question Of suspending after Mon
day next the Monday closing order. We
have not reached a final conclusion
about it We shall have another con-
ference on Tuesday next, when the re-
suits of the Monday closings and of the
railroad embargoes up to that time can
be fully considered, and shall be able
to make an announcement next week
as to whether or not a suspension of
the Monday closing order may be
made"
DR.. Garfield will be largely Influenced
IN his Anal decision by the reports which
VIII be made to him Monday by state fuel
administrators, who have been called here
that day for = conference.
Necessity Is obviated.
Necessity for continuing the heatless
Mondays has been largely obviated. in
the belief Of oficials, by the orders
for preferential coal transportation and
distribution and by the railroad em-
bargoes now in effect The Monday
elosing period. which began with Janu-
aFy 81, brought vigorous opposition
from commercial interests. particularly
the big department stores. The small
stores, too, have opposed 1t. as have the
owners Of offlcs buildings Theaters
succeeded In having the day as ap-
piled to them changed to Tuesday.
It was stated officially last night that
the reason q final decision was not
reached was because complete reports
have not al yet been received showing
the exact results of the five day clos
ing. and the effects of operation Of
the embargoes to date. Both Mr.. Nc
Adoo and DR.. Garfield are of the cpin-
ion. however, it was said. that since the
coal problem IL largely one of transpor-
without continuance of the Monday clos
ings. Nine dayg enforcement of the
embargces II Is held, has improved
the situation as much as would have
days although bad weather conditions
have slowed up coal movement.
Win Guarantee Coal.
The fuel administration's preferen-
tial order calling for the distribution of
coal. FIRST to householders, ships, public
Institutions and favored war industries.
will stand. as we'll as will the railroad
administrations order giving preferen-
tial rail movement to coal and food.
These two orders. 1t Is declared, will
guarantee coal to consumers which the
government ts determined to see sup
Piled. although the less essential in
dustries are expected OF suffer, and
some may have to close down.
Omctals make no secret OF the fact
that had rail embargoes been declared
in the frat place the industrial closing
order would not have been issued. The
embargoes were placed at the urgent
request Of the fuel administration,
which contended that the effects Of the
closing order would be nullifled by
weather conditions unless the step were
taken.
Ofaciah Of the railroad administration
believe q return Of good weather will
speedily restore the transportation system
and that this will solve the fuel problem.
TAey say that the Monday closing has dis
ly has hampered railroad operation by
making it impossible to load and unload
cars promptly.
Not Ready to Revoke Order.
Fuel Administrator Garfield has not
been ready to revoke the closing order, de-
spite the great amount Of pressure
until assured that the embargoes would
be continued. Since he now has this as
surance as a result of the conference last
night he is prepared to rescind the order if
show that the closing already effected has
served its purpose. He has determined
that there shall be no further modifica-
lions or general exemptions, but that
everything shall be put on an equal foot
ing II any change is made
The big department stores sought to
have tho order changed to permit all
shops to remain open six or seven hours
posed that kind OF modification on the
grounds that a largo part Of their trade
- carried on early In the morning and
late In the day. They wanted special
arrangements made for them.
Magazines and other periodical pub
ncaftons were exempted by the fuel ad-
mtntstration last night from operation
OF the Monday closing order.
The complications both in the pub
lishing of magazines and the handling
OF the great volumes Of mail matter at
the post Offices" the announcement
said. were especially potent argu-
ments in bringing about this decision"
Called to Washington.
Thirteen fuel administrators in the
states which have felt the coal. short
age most severely have been directed
by Fuel Administrator Garfield to come
TO Washington for q conference here
Monday. The conference will take up
fuel conditions and discuss the future
policies az to power to be given to state
administrators in putting into effect