New-York tribune., 1918-01-18

or less a matter of conscience. Mr.
Schley told dozens Of anxious uues-
TONERS that it was a matter of patriot
ism: Only there is penalty Of $1,000
or 'lVc years in Jail, CT both. for VIC
lators, as Harry T. Peters. chairman OF
pointed out.
NV no is going to enforce the order.
and how is he going to do it - Mr.. Wig
GIN WAS asked last night. just three
hours before the order became effective.
II don't Know" he said, and laughed
Tine District Attorney. supposc.'
Nr. Schlcy was emphatic He said
he had no more to do with the inter
rrctation of the order than the Federal
collector had with tho interpretation Of
the income tax law.
Get y lawycr,' some of the appli-
tants were told
Counties Are Advised
Last night, TO make it quite clear
that the fuel administrators had moth
ing TO do with tho case, Mr.. Wiggin
sent each county fuel administrator in
the state of New York telegram. in
which he repeated the disclaimer of re-
sponsibility.
I'VE have received innumcrablc in
Qulrlcs from county fuel administra-
tors. manufacturing and business con-
Germs and the public as to the scope of
DR.. Garticld's ordcu,' the TELEGRAM
read. 'Somc of the inquiries allcgc
the hardship of compliance; others in
slSt that they como within tho cxccp-
tions: others ask for rulings.
"The order has been published in the
newspapers. and We received from
Washington this morning by telegram
d copy of what was contained in the
morning papers and nothing moro than
that. One OF the chief sources of
doubt and inquiry is as to the cxccp-
ton relating TO such plants as from
their nature must be continuously
operated seven days each week to avoid
injury to the plant itself or its con-
tents.
"Whether any particular plant comes
within that exception is a question of
TACT in each case What constitutes
likewise in each case a question of fact
The state or county fuel administrators
have no authority to construe or inter-
pret DR.. Gartield's ORDER
Difficulties in Checking Up
Managers of public service corpora
tons declared last night that unless the
government provide eight thousand or
ten thousand inspectors to detect viola
tors Of the law, obedience will be
matter of conscience, and nothing else,
SO far as consumers of gas and eec-
trlclty are concerned.
The Consolidated Gas COMPANY has
more than $4,000 meters in Manhattan
has several thousand. The New York
tdison. the United and other electric
hight and power corporations have vast
numbers, all being read monthly To
Keep check on the current consumed by
p'dlvlduai concerns, the managers
Lointed out, there would have to be
eally inspection.
MI Wlggn, acting under authority
nom DR.. Garfield, sent the following
hotlce TO county fuel administrators
suggest that you have published
IN the morning papers Of your district
the following:
i" nder authority granted by the
nlted States fuel administration for
lhe State OF New York. hereby grant
PERMISSION to both distributors and
consumers OF coal. whore necessary to
prevent INJURY to health or destruction
OF or injury to property by fire or
lreezing, to distribute and use. where
mere ssary, minimum amount of fuel
S"llclent to prevent such destruction
or INJURY. Ssnce the order takes effect
'-'OA WV tdES lIlS method OF
NIylnG those affected"
Many Protests Registered
Harry T. Peters, interviewed in tho
office Of the Fuel Conservation Com
mittee, said:
You may safely say that about
everybody in New York has entered
protest. In the first place, the order
came too suddenly, and most people
had no time TO prepare to meet its re-
qulrements."
Then You are not in favor of the
orde: 20 he was asked.
who said so?" said Mr. Peters. "I
am IN favor Of it,
He was asked how it could he on
forced, and he replied:
Ihrough the influence of the press
and BY the patriotic cooperation Of the /
people themselves"
And what about the penalty ."
hats the terrible part of it," said
city" 'N'''
lie was the only fuel official who
you'd express any opinions on the ef-
iect OF the order. and he said he was
,ho,1e ,Ioo VERY clear on some points. He
head of domestic consumers and
could keep open if they had sufficient
luei to carry them through the i've
day period, but no coal would be de-
llvered to them except in the order
OK deliveries as set down in the Car
field order.
One ray of cheer pierced the veil of
mystery and gloom that hung over the
admnlstr tratlon office. A letter was re-
celVed from sixteen employees of Jo-
seph ?. Mcllush d Son who offered ia
40 any sort Of government work on
the days when their usual occupation
was closed to them through the fuel
order
ropical Animals IN Zoo
WouldDie Without Heat