The Washington herald., 1918-01-19
ANGRY SENATE
R0ASTS ORDER
And GARFIELD
Despite Apology, Admins
traitor Target of'Hot
Criticism.

Criticism broke out .fresh over the
head Of, Fuel Administrator Garfield
In the United, States Senate yestsr-
day. It was the result os his having
issued his drastic coal order even
while the Senate was voting through
= request that he postpone 1t hve
days
The storm began as soon as the
opening prayer was finished. Just as
II was beginning to crystallize into
q, demand for the repeal OF certain
sections Of the Lever fuel coptrol act,
however, the aged Senator. Knute
Nelson. Of Minnesota. came to the
rescue Of the administration.
HIS bill to, penalize the holding OF
railroad cars more than seven days
for unloading. not only staved on
radical action. but constituted the first
bit Of remedial legislation offered since
the coal trouble came acuteIy to the
attention of the Senate, some weeks
ago. Because this bill interrupted the
series Of attacks on DR.. Garfield. and
the Senate later adjourned until Mon
day, II was predicted tonight that the
Fuel Administrator will weather the
gale and suffer only the verbal at
tacks Of the Senate.
Hitchcock Begins IL.
Senator Hitchcock opened the ses-
sion today by introducing a sheaf of
telegrams from manufacturers pro-
testing bitterly against the order. He
was followed in order by Senators
Lodge, Townsend, Mcclellan, CALM
ger and Ferrald, all with kilograms
and letters Of the same import. Sem
ator Nelson introducing his new bill
said:
The root Of the whole difficulty is
the use Of cars for storage purposes,
and keeping coal on side tracks This
bill reaches the root of that difficulty.
I'VE VIII have to have a law on the
subject. because the mere paying of
demurrage viii never expedite the un-
loading Of cars" He went on to de-
clare In favor OF a heavy penalty for
merchants who fail to empty cars
consigned to them within seven days.
His bill was committed to the Inter
state Commerce Committee.
Shortly afterwards. when the Sem
ate's attention had been directed to
other legislation, Vice President Mar
shal produced a letter he had received
-ASAA A. 6aAhCA4- IL AOtlONSs
GsrheId's Letter.
Dear Mr.. Vice President:
Permit me to confirm the message
which 1 sent tp you yesterday after
noon by Mr.. Baker, clerk of the Sem
ate.
1T is my earnest desire the menu
bers Of the Senate should know that
as an executive officer of the govern
ment would not willingly treat a re-
quest Of the Senate with other than
the greatest respect. The order sus-
pending operation of Industrial plants
in portions of the United States was
issued only after deliberate considera-
tioh and will, firmly believe, aid ef-
fectively in providing coal for domestic
consumers. for the prompt bunkering
OF ships carrying necessary war ma
teEtal abroad and for The relief of Sc
rious congestion at the docks, and at
many points in section covered by the
order. stan believe it should stand.
To delay the application Of the order
would only add to congestion. 1t
would be but natural that industry in
the interval would redouble its efforts
TO increase supplies on hand.
To permit factories with a coal sup
ply TO operate during the period OF sus-
pension would allow many producing
articles least essential to the war to
continue, while some producing articles
the most essential would be COM
PEELED to shut down Moreover, con-
inued production by those well sup
piled with coal would delay If not de-
feat the relief contemplated by the
order. I should add that the resolu-
ton was presented to me at 6:35 D. m. b,
yesterday afternoon, and that the or
der was signed at 5:15- With high re-
spect-
II remain yours very truly,
Signed n. A GARFIELD"