The states-graphic. (Brownsville, Tenn.) 1???-1984, 1918-01-18
Big PLANTS To
CEASE OPERATION
Manufacturing Enterprises East Of
Mississippi River Will Close Down
for Five Days: Monday Will be
Business Holiday for Ten Weeks.

Washington, Jan. 16.-America's s
manufacturing enterprises, with but
few exceptions in all states east Of
the Mississippi river, were ordered
by the government tonight to suspend
operations for tive days, beginning
Friday morning as a drastic measure
to relieve the fuel famine. The order
also included the whole of the states
of Louisiana and Minnesota.
At the same time as an additional
means of relief, it was directed that
industry and business generally, in-
cluding all normal activities that re-
quire heated buildings, observe as a
holiday every Monday for the next
ten weeks. This will close down on
Mondays, not only factories, but sa-
looms, stores, except for the sale of
drugs and food, places Of amusement
and nearly all office buildings.
While the order does not mention
ship yards, it is known that theyswiill
be permitted to continue erer alisns as
usual, although nnnitians psanss nv
be closed.
Z The governments move came en-
tirely without warning in an order is
sued by Fuel Administrator Garfield
with the approval Of President Wilson
prescribing stringent restrictions gov
erning the distribution Of coal. 1t was
decided upon hurriedly by the presi-
dent and government heads as a des-
perate remedy for the fuel crisis and
the transportation tangle is the east
ern states. Even munition plants are
not excepted from the closing-down
order. @
Officials tonight would not discuss
the far-reaching effects the action
would have on the industrial fabric,
and questions as to how the order was
to be interpreted to meet specific prob
The order prescribes a partial list
lems went unanswered.
Of consumers in whose interest it is |
drawn. These users viii get coal in
the following order:
Railroads.
Household consumers, hospitals,
charitable institutions and the army
and navy cantonments.
Public utilities, telephone and tele-
graph plants.
Strictly government enterprises, ex-
,epting factories and plants working
On government contracts.
Public buildings and necessary gov
srnment, state and municipal require
nents.
Factories producing perishable foods
md foods for immediate consumption
Announcement of the provisions of
he order was made by Fuel Admins
.rator Garfield after a White House
conference, which was attended also
~ secretaries Baker and Daniels.
Early in the day Dr. Garfield had
fought the view of other officials and
t was said tonight the unanimous
'pinion was that the measure contem-
'lated was necessary under the cir
AS first drawn and as approved at
he White House, the order called for
he closing of factories beginning to-
morrow morning. This was changed
pom consideration of the confusion
yhich would result when millions of
rorkers went to their duties unaware
f the governments step.
Inclusion of war industries among |
hose to which fuel will be denied ]
aused some surprise, but fuel officials
Explained tonight that war plants
ave been producing so much more ma
an handle that no serious effect will ]
e felt. War supplies manufactured
srial than the transportatin systems
,r export have been moved to sea-
oard faster than ships can move them.
An exception is made in the case of {
plants because Of the
reat need for vessels to move supplies 4
ready ready for shipment overseas. I
Fuel administration officials will 5
axe an effort to increase production a
J the coal mines during the period
lat other business is suspended. Mines s
nder contract to supply industries Il