The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1918-01-18
GARFIELD COAL
ORDER IN EFFECT:
INDUSTRY HALTS
Fuel Administration Signs EdiCt
as U. S. Senate Demands
Delay.
"A EXEMPTIONS ARE GIVEN
Vital War Industries Escape Drastic
ReeuIations-OnIy Food Stores
Will Be Open on Mondays
President Stands Behind Aid.

Washington, Jan. 1S.-The Garfield
coal edict is in effect.
Defying a resolution adopted by the
senate to compel pOstponement OF
the drastic measure, the fuel admins
tration gave notice that it stood pat.
The order was signed by Fuel Admin
istrator Garfield at six o'clock last
night. 1t went into operation at mid
night.
Every industry east of the MissisSip-
pi river, including Minnesota and Lou
isiana, with few exceptions, closed to
remain idle until midnight next Tues
day.
Wilson Stands Behind Garfield.
Braving storm of protest that
swept the whole nation, President Will
son stood squarely by DR.. Garfield.
Meanwhile opponents in the senate
lashed themselves into a fury over
their impotence The Hitchcock reso-
luton to force a postpOnement was
adopted by vote of 80 to 10.
A total of IA exemptions was de-
cided on They relate entirely to vi
tai war industries. At the suggestion
of the navy department the building
of destroyers to meet the U-bOats' Of
fensive will not be interrupted. Elev-
en- of the exemptions have to do with
this alone.
At the suggestion of the war depart
ment three exemptions were allowed.
There is to be no interruption in the
manufacture of powder and heavy
forgings needed for field guns.
May Continue shipbuiIding.
1t was understood work on mer-
chant ship building also was to be ex-
empted.
All other industries covered in the
night must suspend entirely during
the five-day period beginning at mid
night.
Call Is Necessary.
The order covers not only industries
that get heat or power from coal, but
those that use oil, electricity, natural
gas, calcium or otherwise.
Water power plants are not included.
at is drastic remedy" declared
Secretary Daniels, ''to meet a des-
perate situation. But if we hesitate it
will mean a more drastic remedy later
for more desperate situation"
Only the destroyer program, Secre-
tary Daniels said, the navy had asked
to have spared.
Certain Immediately necessary sup
plies,'' said Secretary of War Baker
''the army has asked to be exempted
On the rest of the war supplies we
must stand by the order of the fuel
administration"
The department of justice prepared
to guard against any I. w. w. move
ment to fan the discomfort Of labor
made idle by the shutdown.
1t was admitted the action was taken
more because of the congestion of the
railroads at seaboard terminals than
because Of shortage of coal
Congress Is PowerIess.
Is is not known whether congress
will take any further step to upset the
edict. Congress- only opportunity, ad
ministration officials declared, would
be to repeal the food law under which
the drastic step was taken. This would
require weeks.
Even if congress in it's fury should
pass repeal bill the president by
Withholding his signature could defeat
its purpose.
Wild DAYS in Capital.
Seldom has the capita been through
such day. Protests came by tele
graph, long distance telephone and
special delivery letter.
GarfieId's Revised Order.
The text of the revised coal order
issued by Doctor Garfield, reads:
"A regulation making provision for q
more adequate supply of fuel for rail
roads, domestic consumers, public util
tiles and other uses necessary to the
national security.
The United States fuel administra
tor, acting under the authority of al
executive order of the president OF
the United States, dated August %
1917, appointing said administrator il
furtherance of the purpose of said or
der and of the purposes of the act OF
congress therein referred to, approved
August 10, 1917, finding it essential t.
effectively carry out the provisions o.
this act, to make provision for a NOR,
adequate supply of fuel for railroads
domestic consumers, public utilitie:
and for other uses necessary to thu
national security in certain parts O.
the United States, hereby makes ant