The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-01-17
GOVERNMENT TO TAKE COAL SAVED
 BY FUEL ORDER

Washington, Jan IT Protests against the fuel administration order closing industrial plants began pour ing inbO the White House and Con- Ecess today from all over the coun- try. Business men everywhere, arous- ed at the prospect. objected to it's en- 'forcement and suggested many other remedies.
 The fuel administration will issue a series of rulings on queries concern ing the conservation order. State fuel administrators will not be allowed to make rulings and the rulings issued ARere will have general application.
 It developed today that under the fuel administrations plan the gov ernment will buy all coal consigned to the suspended industries These transactions will be conducted through the Treasury Department and it is estimated that they will cost the government about $25,OOO,O0O. State fuel administrators will re-dis- tribute the coal to food plants and other industries permitted to run.
 The order will not include natural gas nor use of wood as fuel, nor power derived from water It is said that the exception of necessary war indus tries from the operation the order might be more liberal than first an-- nouncements indicated.
 The fuel administration mean while hurried on the machinery for carrying out the plan. Fuel Admin istratOr Garfield assembled all his leg al staff and began preparation of the Formal order, which it was promised would clear up many points which Hwere indefinite or conflicting in the abstract and statement issued last might
 It developed that the order actually had not been drawn when MT. Gar field made his announcement and when the fuel administration issued Jan abstract of what it was expected tc Hbe- It was said that the full text o1 the order could not be prepared fu time to be given out much before this Afternoon and there was some doubt as to whether it's text would be ready Tor publication in evening papers to- day.
 Dr. Garfield will issue, probably during the day, a public appeal tC employers to continue the pay of theil employees during the time they are idl, because of the fuel order. The gov ernment has no power to enforce thi, request, but will call on employers tt take the step as patriotic duty.
 To clear up the congestion of ship ping at principal Atlantic ports result ing from the famine of bunker coal Fuel Administrator Garfield has SC 1ected a special assistant to talk charge of bunkering at the ports. Tn coal is assured by the fuel admins tradon's order
 A series of ruling or interpretation. to be issued in connection with tn, order is expected to make the situa, ton more clear.
 Under a provision which if was de cfded this morning to insert in the or der, the government will become tn, purcshaser of virtually all coal pro duced in the five day closing period Mines producing coal under contrac to industries which will be closed vii be directed to turn their output owe to state fuel administrators under biI of lading attached. The treasury de pertinent will set aside $25, ,000,9O0 fo the purchase of this coal.
 Coal in transit to industries tha Will be closed will not be purchase, by the government, but merely vii be diverted by state fuel administIa tors and turned over to consumer who come within the preferential list The coal will be paid for by the ulti mate consignee, who will remit al reetly to the mines in which the coa originated.
 The rulings to be issued in connec ton with the order will be general i,