Evening star., 1918-01-21
Business Throughout City at
a Minimum of Operation
to Save Fuel.
BIG STORES AND OFFICES
AMONG PLACES CLOSED
Food, Drugs and Theater Tickets
About Only Articles Public
Is Permitted to Buy.

Under clear skies and with a rising
Temperature, Washington today OBJ
served its first "workless' Monday. Busi-
ness throughout the city was at a mini
mum of operation, and industry, save
that absolutely essential to the nation
war program, was at a standstill. Many
stores, business establishments, private
Offices and barber shops were closed for
the entire day. in obedience to the
order of the fuel administration.
Department stores and other general
business establishments were closed,
while thousands of employees remained
at home on an enforced rest. Food.
drugs and theater tickets are about the
only articles of commerce sold to the
public as the capital observed the first
idle Monday.
Merchants Behind Government.
Washington merchants have taken
their stand squarely behind the govern
ment in the enforcement of the work
less-Monday order. Under an amend
ed order grocery stores were permitted
to remain open all day, but the notih-
cation from the fuel administration
came, as a general rule. too late for
merchants to change their plans and
the majority closed at noon.
Theaters throughout the city are open
today, with extra matinee performances
in some Of them Tomorrow they will all
be closed, to open again Wednesday.
The majority. il not all, OF the automo-
bile salesrooms in the capital were closed.
in compliance with DIR. Garheld's order.
Service stations in some instances kept
hnf keen
the cars in the shop from freezing. and
only such work was done as was neces-
sary to keep customers cars in opera
tion.
Auto Houses to Close.
A meeting of representatives of the au-
tomObile trade will be held this week to
formulateA plans for the remaining nine
worikiess Mondays. J. NJ Stoddard. presi-
dent Of the Washington Automobt14 Trade
Association, said 1t might be possible for
some Of the saieerooms to keep open and
yet remain within the law. but that 1t
was the desire to cooperate in every way
with the government. and thus the places
would close.
ing its bit in fuel conservation. Without
waiting for the order Of DR.. Garfield. the
club decided to close the main building
five days a week. saving many tons Of
fuel The club building will be closed for
i've days of each week. beginning today.
Saturday and Sunday will be the only
days when all the club features will be in
operation.
The closing of the main building
will not materially affect the activities
of members, as Saturday night enter
taiEmerts will be continued and those
who live at the clubhouse will not be
ineonveniencsd
Club Conserves Fuel.
The Columbia Country Club is an
other organization that is conserving
fuel on its own initiative. Three-fourths
of the club facilities have been sus-
pended during the cold weather. The
main dining room is closed. as are the
grill. the lounging room and other
parts of the building. This plan has
been in operation for some time.
Word was received today by officials
of the Washington Steel and Ordnance
Company that its plant may go ahead
with the work being done under gov
ernment contract. The plant is work
ing night and day on government or
ders. and to suspend operations at this
time would result in great loss. fuel
officials think. Approximately 5000
men are employed at the plant.