Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-01-19
ROADS BEING
CLEARED and
COAL RUSHED
Good Results of Garfield
Action Already Felt in
Affected Area.

10 the fuel administration today
showed transportation congestion
throughout the east being cleared
and bunker coal being unloaded
in increasingly large quantities.
Few empty ears. however. have
begun 10 move back yet to the coal
mines.
Enough bunker coal will reach
tbe docks within the next 3 or !
DAYS. II was said. TO supply all
ships now awaiting fuel. Bunker.
ing, however, depends very large
" on handling facilities after the
coal is unIOaded on the docks.
Fuel administration officials pre-
dicted it would be at least week be-
fsJe coal mines began to receive
empty cars in numbers necessary to
keep production at maximum. Con-
fusion resulting from diversion of coal
at destinations is slowing up the
movement of empty cars back to the
mine districts.
II was made clear today that indus
tries producing materials on which
munitions plants are dependent are ex-
cepted from provisions of the closing
order. This application will permit
the operation of virtually all mines
producing metals and ore.
Tone of kilograms Changes.
The fuel administration today ruled
that lumber producing concerns work.
ing on orders for the emergency fleet
corporation and for the aircraft pro-
ducton board are exempt. Fuel ad-
mnistraton officials said the tone Of
kilograms coming was entirely differ
ent from those Of yesterday and that
most Of them either approved the gov
ernment's action or expected willing
ness to cooperate.
Chicago, Jan. 19.-Reports today by
railroad officials on the movement of
coal and clearing Of their lines, were
optimistic, and indicated that the ma
!ority of the q railroads with termi-
mails in this city would be operating
practically on normal schedules by
next Monday. These reports were
severe snow storms interfere.
During the last "a hours 1900 car
loads of coal were received in Chi
cago and there were 2,100 cars in out
side railroad yards that have not been
switched.
Stop, Think and are Wiser.
More cheerful views. of the admins
trations fuel order prevailed today as
those in the Chicago district affected
by the edict began to take note of The
conditions. 1t is realized tllAt unde!
normal conditions Saturday woulf
have been half holiday for many Of
the number Effected; that Sunday
made little difference anyway, anc
that there remained but two WORT
days during which the factories are tC
remain closed In addition. many o.
the doubts and fears of individuals
had been dissipated as the local tue
authorities gained grasp Of the situa
ton and interpreted doubtful points
In the order Of Mr.. Garfield.
Few Violations.
There were few violations of Thu
curtailment order in the Chicago in
dustrial district. The spirit Of thu
order, as well as the technical obse-v
ance OF II was practically complete.
Big improvement.
New York. Jan. ia marked i'm
provemeat in the coal situation witt
respect to the numbering of ships wa:
reported here today. The sailings o
me last "a hours, it was learned. eX
ceeded arrivals for the first time since
Inc bunker situation became alarm
ingy acute and the net number OF de
iayed number of steamers in por
waiting coal was today reduced to ITO
Best for Weeks.
Ships in Hampton Roads are receiv
ing bunker coal today faster than a
any time in many weeks. according Il
reports to the fuel administration
Goal was said to be moving in yer,
freely, both for bunker and domestic
use.
:. The domestic supply moving to New
iork was said to be greater than IL
hfee or four weeks. Mlder weather
which facilitated water transportation
De'ween New Jersey points and New
.,o1 Il,