The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-01-17
EVERY M0NLAY TO
BE HOLIDAY UNTIL
MARCH Is is ORDER
Order of Government Applies
to All Territory East of Mis-
sissippi River and Is Necea-
sary to cave People From
Suffering

Washington, Jan. 16.-For
fives days, beginning Friday,
every industry in the United
States east of the Mississippi
river, including even the war
industries must close down.
The states of. Minnesota and
Louisiana are included.
This is the command set
forth tonight in the most dras.
tic and sweeping fuel priority
order ever issued by the goT-
eminent. It's purpose is TO
meet the serious coal famine.
The same order fixes every
Monday from January % 10
March % as holiday. On
such days all theaters and
other places of amusement are
required to close their doors.
Other non-essential businesses
must curtail their activities.
Newspapers are limited to .
single edition.
Several exceptions are made
in the order with regard to
certain industries, which, like
blast furnaces, would be ruined
by any cessation of their plants,
and manufactures of perishable
foodstuffs.
Newspapers are excepted en-
tirely from four of the five days
in the five days between Janu-
airy IS to 90, inclusive, but
they are limited to holiday edi-
tons on the Mondays desig-
mated, including next Monday.
On such DAYS they may only
print such editions as they are
accustomed to issue on nation
al holidays Those papers not
accustomed to issue any edi-
tions on such holidays may
print not more than one edi-
ton.
Gives Reasons for Order.
An official statement explaining tho
scope Of the order reads:
The unprecedented adverse weather.
conditions of recent weeks and the
Iinadequacy OF the present coal sup
lply and transportation facilities to
meet the enormous wartime demand
have made necessary immediate re-
strtetive measure as to the use Of coal
In that part OF the United States east
OF the Mississippi river.
The movement of coal in transpor-
tation must be so directed as TO aid the
director general in dealing with the
railroad emergency created by recent
blizzard conditions. Domestic con-
sumers of coal must be kept warn,
and other absolutely necessary con-
sumers must be supplied.
All Equally Restricted.
"All industries must be equally res
stricted in its use of coal in order that
az afianie supply for the remainder or
the winter may be properly distributed
and may be made sufficient for abso-
lutte essential needs during the re-
mainder OF the winter.
ITO meet these necessities. the fuel
administration has ordered. as an trn-s
mediate emergency measure, that on
the days of January Is, 10. TO- 81 and
22 preference and priority in the de-
livery and use of coal shall be given
only to those consumers whose con-
sumption OF coal is absolutely neces-
sary.
These include, in order, railroads.
domestic consumers. hospitals ana
charitable institutions, public utilities.
ships at tidewater for bunker pur-
poses. United States government us.
municipal and county governments for
necessary public use, and manufactur-s
ers of perishabie food or food for iuAs
mediate consumption.
During the ave days OF Janu.
airy is. 10. 30, ~ and ~ dcstg~
mated no manufacturing tnduseEy
shall be allowed to b c0n1ncoe1.
even II h has .its coal O. hnx
by this means M indzuntK1oH nm n
be placed on m eq4nl foe<1G - &