The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-01-18
R|CHNOlO GIVES



charge Of the ctty's coal supply ano
whose former connection "fh ms
-rreaexar works has put him IA close
tonch with the fuel situation. is NOT
shcrcuwhI, Impressed with the WIS
soyy, OF the order rs far as Richmond
3s concerned Commissioner Hobsoh
said that the Tredegar works are run
by water power and that the coal they
used VAS chiefly for heating purposes.
consequently the saving at this great
plant would be by no means great
j. Scott Parrish, OF the richmond
Cedar works. said that the plant or
,,enewstt-, would follow out the instruc-
lions of the government. but that he
considered 1t rather an unfortunate
situation.
At the American Locomotive COM
.sanv's ulant 2.So0 persons VIII prob
ablv be idle on every fuel holiday
Merchants Have Misgivings.
gtiff what effect the drastic fuel
,rtgar Of the national administrator
VIII have upon Industries in Richmond
formed the chief topic OF conversa-
zion in business and manufacturing
circles yesterday BY some II was
stated thar, in addition To throw
ing thousands OF laborers out OF ON 70
1loyment, II would, 10 Il large extent,
many of the bigger plants.
Merchants and other prominent
f,us,nesa men throughout the city eX-
pressed great Tn;sgiyings over the de-
cree and in 40 case was the view pic
rured az optimistic.
The Offices of state Fuel Admins
traitor Lyrd were packed and damned
during the entire day yesterday and
the phone bell tangled continuously
with inquiries from all over the city
as to whether or not the rule OF the
administration was applicable to par
ricuIar esta hlishments. Mr.. Byrd was
on the long distance wire with off,
Gals at Washington eatly In the
morning in an effort ~ secure inter
pretations OF the order and definite
Instructions 4 conference was called
among the state and local fuel Off
ciais and ways and means for hand
ling the situation were discussed
Their knowledge was cont3r ed to the
press news and by this they were
guided until official Interpretation
came In.
Thousands WIN ne Idle
One Of the most important results
that looms up III Richmond, following
this order by tte fuFt administration
liz the enforced holiday Of thousand
ing plants OF the city, which In SONS
vases will mean the loss Of pay. espe
ciaily in the cases where the work
men are paid by daily wage II ha
been rumored that several of tbt
establishments will continue the pa,
Of their employees throughout thel
enforced idleness
From the orders it appears that nj
nnunition plants and mar ufacturin,
houses will be forced tn observe thi
order. Several Of the owners of the8
plants. II IS sad have sguiGed thei
intention ~ applying for an injunc
tion prohibiting the enforcement o
he decree.
Affects Movie T'heaters.
One os the odd incidents connected
with the order Of the fuel adminislra
tor is in connection with the Academ,
OF Music. This theater is idle. gen
orally, two or three days and night
In the wee Next week, however
with the fuel order "A effect. II has al
attraction fer the entire week ant
may lose day. Az ne movie the
alters and thc lyric WI feel the eHec
Of the decree, and one manager rails
ed a. Interesting point. lie waute,
10 kaaw whether theatecs would hav
to close every Monday during IN,
term OF the decree provided Ia
weather was sufficiently warm 10 dis
pense with heat.
The city schools win be continued
according to a statement from Super
intendent ]. x. C. Chandler. AVID ri
preparations for close-down or Mon
day has been made,
superintendent Of the larger oiEic
buildings down town stated yesterda
that little conservation could be se
complished BY the curtailing ~ TIA
heat in those buildings. The danga
from freezing pipes necessitates tn
maintenance of heat at ali times ani
the cutting off would entail Il large.
supply IN bringing Il back 10 norma
temperature than would be burue
II the furnace was Kept hot
There hes not been q ease n IN
II city or state In which a rnapufactur
u ting plant has beer forced TO clos
down for lack OF fuel, and In all case
when hard put the amount needed
eouid be obtained from some source