The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-01-30

washington, JdH-~ 0V-NeW EHS- land is confronted with the most per ilous fuel shortage in it's history. Warm weather only will prevent wide spread suffering in it's cities, and even under the best shipping conditions it's industries will be forced to close for at least two of the coming eight weeks. The financial losses will run into the millions, and all production of war munitions will be set back from two weeks to a month.
 These astounding facts were pre- sented to government officials today by James Sorrow, the New England Fuel Administrator. The Fuel Ad- administration and Director-General McAdoo, however, could give no as- surances of any relief for the famine stricken industrial centres.
 During the day, MT. StoTrow re- ceived telegrams which showed clear ly that by the end of this week the greater part of the New England States will be in the throes of fuel famine. Railroads, trolley lines, pub lie utilities, schools, office buildings and stores will shut down, and thou sands of working men and women will be thrown out of work for inde- finite periods. Doubt is expressed by MT. Storrow as to whether even the needs of all hospitals and charitable institutions can be met.
 From the statements of the New England Fuel Administrator, it is again made clear that the shortsight- ed action of the War and Navy De- partments in taking all seagoing tugs and vessels from the New England coal trade last summer has been the most costly and gigantic blunder or the war administration.
 Some of the telegrams received by MT. Storrow today show that:
 In the last two weeks only 20 per cent, of the normal amount of fuel consumed in New England has been shipped in. either by rail or water
 Seventy Boston schools are closed and 200 more will be forced to close within g. week. All schools in Wor- cester, Mass, have been closed since Christmas.
 More than 6,G0O,O00 tons of coal 1s needed to bring the New England States supply to normal. N The Edison Electric Light Company of Boston, which supplies light to Boston and 42 cities and towns, Will he forced to close at the end of this week unless the steamer Moves at Hampton Roads is loaded 1mmedl- ately. The Mead Morris Manufacturing Company of East Boston, enploylne 11,OOO men on gun mounts, has beer = closed since Wednesday.
 The Chapman Valve Company o Boston is closed
 Eighteen factories in Holyoke Mass, must close at the end of thu week
 The Boston and Worcester trolle! lines, having S7 miles of double tracl system. have almost cut service in hal and face closing down.
 The Maine Central Railroad ha coal only tof run until Friday ana must close unless Deputy Directo of Railroads Smith of Kew York cal get it coal.
 The Industrial Alcohol Company East Cambridge, working 100 per cent on Allies orders, closed today.
 The L. S.. StaTrett Company o Athol, Mass, working 100 per cent on Government and naval supplies closed today.
 The Burgess Airp1ane Company 0 Marblehead, Mass, closed today.
 The R. s. Long Company of Sout Pennington, Mass, engaged 100 pc cent on haversacks and cartridge belt! closed down indefinitely.
 The Aberthawl Construction Go. O; Cambridge, working 100 per cent. O Government contracts, closed las night
 The Metz Company of Wa1thar Mass, doing 100 per cent. Govern ment work. is burning wood and mus close this week.
 Ten thousand workmen wer thrown out of work today when tn Americaa Woolen Company's mills a Lawrence, Lowell and Maynart Mass, closed. These mills have cor tracts for 3,500,000 yards of blanket $500, ,0O0 yards of overcoatiEgs. 4,00O 900 yards of khaki and 3,50O,00 yard of suitings, all for the Government.
 The Osgood Bradley Company ( Worcester, working 100 per cent. o gun mounts, has been closed.
 The Arlington Mills at Fall Rive closed and 11,OOO persons weI thrown out of work.
 The Bridgeport munition plants al in desperate plight, with no relief i sight.
 Waterbury, Conn.,, munition plan have only a few days supply of fuel
 MT. Storrow stated last night tn; there is no hope of preventing mar shut downs in New England. F said:
 ''In circulars which I sent out la June and July, predicted this cond ton. It was as plain as that 2 and make 4. I told every manufacturer prepare for it. I would not change u wording of those circulars today in scribing conditions in New England.
 'Last summer when. the Cover ment took over the tugs and coal ve