The sun., 1918-07-08
COUNTRY TO Be PUT
ON COALRATION
Garfield Will Limit Supply
Each Householder May
Instal>fOr Winter.
CERTAIN TO BE SHORTAGE
Survey to Be Made in Each
Community to Prevent
HOarding.
Special Despatch to The srS.


WASHINGTON, July "A coal ration
,or household consumption this winter
has been decreed by DR.. GARFIELD. the
Fuel Administrator. and will be put
into effect as soon as possible. Sufi-
dent coal will be given to each indi-
y,duaI to keep his home at a temperature
ot IS degrees when scientifically heated.
Coal hoarders will have their surplus
supplies taken away from them and
NAV be prosecuted by the Government.
The action of DR.. Garfield marks the
1rst venture Of the Government into the
r,tioning plan for any commodity as q
war measure. The nearest approach to
Il heretofore Is found in the sugar dis
trlbutlon plan recently put into effect
BY Food Commissioner Hoover,
This system will be drastic" said
Or. Garfield, land will introduce con-
d,ions new to the country; 1t will be
no more drastic, however, than the con-
dt,ons demand in tho interest of all
concerned. No one will be deprived OF
coal actually needed for heating"
survey in Each city.
In each city a coal survey will be
made for the purpose Of determining the
needs of each household and an allot-
ment made which will give each as
much coal as is believed to be necessary
for normal needs. The survey will be
carried out under the direction of local
Fuel Administrators. A plan similar
TO this has been in operation in Great
Britain and France since the outset OF
the war.
To carry out the decree censorship
Of every order for coal received by re-
tail dealers will be made by local ad
illustrators and the size Of the order
compared with the rating given to th'
house under the household survey
Statements of the householders will b,
checked up carefully with the number
Of rooms and the space to be heated
Orders from consumers that are larger
than the rating figure will be scaled
down to the requisite amount.
The rationing plan Is made necessary
says DR.. Garfield. by an almost certain
shortage this winter due in large meas
ure TO the growing consumption Of Goa
by war industries and munition plant
and for other war purposes.
Garfield Asks Cooperation.
1T is evident that there will be al
insufficient supply for winter needs un
less the utmost conservation is prac
tised." said DIR. Garfield. land a system
Of local distribution inaugurated whicl
will prevent any consumer from obtain
ing more coal than Is sufficient for hi
wants"
Cooperation on the part OF the house
holders with the Fuel Administration
as a means of bringing success to thu
scheme and prevent inequalities in dis
trihution or the boarding of coal |!
asked by DR.. GARFIELD. He offers thi
plan this summer in lieu OF the one pu
forward last summer to create n reserv
coal supply in each town and city whicl
could be drawn on by local admins
traitors when all other sources OF sup
ply failed. At that time DR.. CARTEL,
asserted the country would not expert
ence a shortage last winter and aske
the householders to refrain from buyinl
their coal until he had finished his ad
,ustments of the prices.
Large quantities of fuel probably viii
ne sent TO France this fall to meet need
OF war industries there.