Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-01-19
INDUSTRIES HALTED
IN EASTERN STATES
TO CONSERVE COAL
Factories Having War Con-
tracts Are Granted Right
to Continue Operation.
ORDER CAUSES CONFUSION
IN ALL PARTS OF NATION
Flood of kilograms Pours Into
Department Asking In
terpretations.
CONGRESS- STAGES DEBATE
Members OF Senate Get Notice From
DR.. Garfield. Declining to
Suspend Actiou.
Members OF Senate Get Notice From
DR.. Garfield. Declining to
Suspend Actiou.
TEv Associated Prsss.l

rEv Associated rr.ss.l
WASHINGTON. January lS.-The
nations manufacturing industry in the
twenty eight States east OF the
Mississippi River. was virtually sus-
pended TO day in obedience 10 the gov
ernmcnts order curtailins the use of
fuel.
Most OF tho plants engaged on war
contracts were exempted from the or
dcr's operation in kilograms sent out
last night. but few of them learned OF
II in time. and great ma ajori,y OF them
closed down.
Tho country at large knew nothing
Of exemptions, except the few an
nouncHd last night. and il was not un-
iii late this afternoon that the fuel
administration admitted officially that
important war work was no, affected
by the order, and gave out a list OF
hundreds OF factories shat may con-
tinue work government contracts
only during the fivc-day-closing period.
Confusion attending enforcement OF
the order vas general. Such flood
of telesrams poured into the Offices OF
| the fuel administration asking inter-
! nretations and rulings and requesting
Information concerning exempted in
dustries that finally the exemption list
Was given 10 the press for publica-
ton.
The day brought statement OF un-
edu;vocal support for the order from
President Wilson. and vigorous de-
! fcnsc by Fuel Administrator Garfield
OF the stop and the sovTnmcnt's pur-
pose in taking II.
Opposition TO the order In Congress
arpa"snt'y spcn, itself in debate in
both houses During the day Dr. Gar
/ Held replied 10 the Scnatc's request OF
yesterday that the order be suspended
:or five days. discaimtng any purpose
/ to be discourtcouS in declining to COM
ply. and again pointing out the neces-
sity for enforcement OF his order
! Food Administrator Hoover in
! statement interpreted The order TO
mean that no check would be put on
, the operation OF any sort OF food
handling, manufacturing or distribute
7 ing.
! The plants exempted firm "A list pre-
! pared by Secretaries Baker and Daniels
are those manufacturins munitions.
arms and other war supplies for tho
government and locomotives and
equipment for ships.
| All shi1yards. although not included
IN the exemption lai. VIII continue
operation under u spcoia' ruling, as
will hundreds OF plan,s turning out
materials which entsl directly into tho
, manufacture OF army aud navy sun
I plies
/ Among the collateral industries which
I Will be ciassed as not coming within
provisions Of The order will bc viz.
tuaily ali mines producing ores.
PRESIDENT WILSON GIVES
! HIS VIEWS on SUBJECT
/ In his statement supporting Or. Car
: fields issuance OF tnc closing order
President Wilson says he was consult.
I'd and fully agreed with tho fuel adj
( n!n.Str"tor As % its necessity. IL the
action had not been taken. he declares,
/ immediate relief could not nave been
! round to1 the fuel aud transportation
I shortage.
! This war" he sai id. calls for many
sacrifices. and sacrifices OF the sort
called for by this order are infinitely
/ less than sacrifices OF life ~ lich Nigh,
otherwise be involved"
lr:. Ciarfc!d's statement emphasizes
the railroad congestion. which he de-
clares is threatening the food supply.
! points TO the necessity for moving ships
! 20 Europe and carries an appeal to
: capital 20 bear its share Of the burden
I brought by he closing order by pay
| ing employees for tho time they arc
idle
/ Tho statement follows:
The oro@r suspcndinS temporarily
! the operation of Industrial plants in
portions cf the United States is dTas-
f, tc. Yes. war is drastic. This war is
, the most extensive and invol,cs greater
/ sacrifices than any war heretofore.
/ The American people. led by the Presi-
/ dent. entered this var deliberately.
! They are stalking everything for tho
/ realization OF great IDEAL, and the
| IDEAL is practical. We know that
democracy must he made reality at
! homo we'll as abroad. that its bene-
/ fits must he shared by all and its sac
r;ii"es borne Ivy u, single class.
Capital and labor are embarked in
/ this war boca4isc all Americans are In
! II. and the American spirit cries out
! against the least suggestion that the
burden he shifted to the backs OF any
one class. leaat OF all of labor. for
! labor has less financial ability to meet