Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1918-01-24
FUEL FAMINE IN
EAST BROKEN
Coal Now Reaching Seaboard in
Greater Quantity Than in
Four Weeks and Ships
Clear Port.
RETURN CARS IN WEEK
Confusion Being Cleared Away
and Fewer Complaints Are
Heard-Wilson Stands
by Garfield.
RETURN CARS IN WEEK

wv
ship IN Hampton Roads are recelV-
ing bunker coal today faster than at
any time in many weeks, according TO
reports TO the fuel administration. coal
was said to be moving in very freely
both for bunker and domestic use,
The domestic supply moving to Ne"
York va said TO be greater than IN
three on four weeks. Milder weather,
which Facilitated water transportation
between New Jersey points and New
York. aided the movement materially
Ssilinas Exceed Arrivals.
A marked Improvement IN the coal
situation with respect to the bulkerlhs
of ships Was reported in New York to-
DAY. Tie sailings of the last "A hours.
il was learned, exceeded arrivals Tor
the first time since the bunker Sltna-
ton became alarminsly acute n the
net number of delayed steamers IN pof'
waiting coal was today reduced 10
40.
enough bunker coal will reach the
docks Within the next three or louf
DAVIS it was said. to supply all SmpS
now awaitin" fuel. ~i3unkering, now
ever. depends very largely on handing
facilities after the coal IS unloaded on
the docks.
Fuel administration officials predict
ed il would be al least Il week before
coal mines began I" receive empty cars
i'm numbers necessary to keep prGduc-
ton AT i maximum.
The railroad situation i'll the middle
west WAS so serious that 1t was sus-
pested to Secretary McAdOo, director
genera of the railroads that about nan
of the present passenger trains there
be suspended for two days 10 release
locomotives for freight. At the same
time the railroad administration was
rushing locomotives out OF repair Snops
and from railroads; in the west to nell
80 -, fIn Hasl WV snow
drifts in states along the Ohio river
The railroads of the middle west We're
reported moving only from ~ 10 Az
per cent of their normal freight.
Freight congcstios on WharVes along
the Atlantic s"aboard, officials sad
will continue unit! ships are bulliioreC
and set free. The shipping board anc
the wal and nay departments turned
their attention to speeding up loading
arrangements ana perfectlng a plan lol
more efficiency in londin2 and unload
ing.
Confusion resulting from diversion OF
coal at destinations ia slowing up the
movement OF empty cars back to the
mine districts. II WAS made clear to-
day that industries producing materials
on which munitions plants are depend
ent are excepted from provisions oil
tho closing order This application will
permit the Operations of virtually al
mines DlpblllliES iilNtTtA0 o'iiN my = ~
fuel administration today ruled lhai
lumber Producing concerns working on
orders for tho emergency fleet coflrof-
alton and for the aircraft production
board are exempt.
Fewer Complaints Heard.
Fuel administration officials said the
one Of kilograms coming Was entirely
different from those OF Yesterday anG
that most of them either approved the
n,,t ..ti,y, ~. ~, r4,e.,ccpG Will
ingness to cooperate.
Although much Of the confusion at
tending the enforcement of the fuel adj
nlinistr& tons fiyc-d3y closing order
continued today il was evident that it,
application would be far less drastic
than first believed.
A list CT interpretations in specific
cases whic'. probably will be giver
general application was being prepared
In addition. the ood administrators may
be expected to make further oxemp-
tons in the case of food producing
plants and related Industries. Food ad
ministrator Hoover Yesterday in
terprated the closing order to meal
that n" check would be put on the
manufacturing or distribution of any
essential food product.
Literally Interpreted.
Considerable relief was expressed b.
officials here when ii was learned tha
most of the plants engaged in govern
ment war contracts had been exempt
ed. The country at large was ignur
ant of these exceptions. however, unit
late Yesterday, when administration of
ficials admitted That important wa
work would not be affected. DR.. Ga
field then made public the list prepare
by Secretaries Baker and Daniels in
Guiding manufacturers of gas masks
explosives. machine guns, rifles. SINAI
q r,,,c and 81 y, ~ nitint, .. n,., -r aIcn+rio
al supplies and TOOL steel for the de
stroyers and the destroyer parts: air
Craft parts. signal corps equipment
steel tubing locomotive equipments
wcolcrs for uniforms, tenting and op
ticai supplies
Ship yards were not named in orders
but will continue to operate unde
special ruling as Will virtually all or
producing nlines. There will he no NOR
general exemptions, it was announced
except over the signatures of Serretar
les Baker and Daniels. Liberal inter
pretations. however. will be given (
rules applying to raw material.
Wilson Backs Garfield.
Backed by vigorous defense OF tn
president, DR.. Garfield today gave hi
attention to the situation at Atlanti
ports. Immediate improvement in tn
situation is expected and more than
million tons Of shipping will be ON it
way in a short time.
III the face Of President Wilson
statement that the order was issue
with his full knowledge and approx:
and another explanation from DR.. Gar
field declaring that the railroad con
gestion ia threatening the food suppl,
vigorous opposition In congress appar
emily has spent Itself.
On t%nBtructions from Director Gen
era! McAdoO to cooperate with tn
fuel administration, railroad official
set about directing coal shipments.
Few violations have beer noted b
fuel officials II these, it was believe
were due to misunderstanding.
It was definitely ruled today that a