Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-02-14
FUE[LESS MONDAYS
MAY Be MAINTAINED
N EASTERN STATES
MApoo ANNOUNCES GARFIELD
ORDER HAS GAINED ITS PUR-
POSE IN CENTRAL STATES But
NOT IN NEW ENGLAND.


washington. Feb. 14.-AbrOgatin5
the fuelless Monday order DR. Gar
field Yesterday paved the way for a
continuance of the rule in New Eng
land states where the coal situation
remains acute.
Improved conditions, due to warmer
Weather. Mr.. Garfield said, make Il
seem advisable TO allow industry 10
resume next Monday in the central
states.
State fuel administrators, howev'
er. are given power to keep the or
der. in effect wherever it may ap-
pear necessary The New England
situation is much worse than in the
rest OF the country, and the admins
traitors in that section probably will
continue to keep plants closed for
several more Mondays.
Mr.. Garfield made it clear that his
action constitutes merely a suspen-
sion of the order Ii coal shortages
again become acute he reserves the
right again to clamp on the lii
Under the original order six more
fuelless Mondays had been scheduled,
Director General OF Railroads Me-
Adoo Joined with Mr. Garfield in de-
Gliding that the fuelless Mondays
should be discontinued for the pres
ent Figures compiled by the director
general were quoted as indicating
that the order has been beneficial
On Jan - the number OF sidetracked
east.bound cars on four leading roads
totaled 26,693 On Feb. II the total
was 1850, a reduction of 30 per cent.
s"There has been so much improve
ment in railroad congestion that !
feel confident that, with the continue.
ton OF embargoes and our preference
list of coal deliveries. we shall not
need to continue the Monday order,
said Mr.. Garfield. The thays have
not injured Us TO any great extent
except in the Ohio river region a
geek ago the state administrators
whS,. were, here were unanimous in
favor of the order remaining in effect.
Now all of them. except the New
England administrators. agree IL
should be suspended. Conditions still
are bad In New England, They have
power to keep the order in effect
MIR. McAdoo warned that the dang
dF rs hot entirely past.
Il eoncurlver heartily in Ir Gar
fields suspension of the Monday clos
luz order, but ii should not be as
shmed that there is no further ne
tfssity for economy in the use of
Gpal," said Mr.. McAdoo. There are
still six weeks OF winter weather
;shead of US, with the possibilities Of
snow and billiards to interfere with
rHiroad operations. Every pound OF
unnecessary traffic, therefore, that
We can keep off the railroads during
this period, and while the accumu-
lated congestion of the last several
months exists will help TO restore
normal conditions that much more
quickly With few weeks of favor
able weather | am sure that the rail.
roads will be able to take care OF
their responsibility"
Next Monday Normal.
dhicago and illinois will go back to
the normal conduct of business Mon.
day, with business houses and indus.
tries operating.
There will remain in effect until
the fuel situation clears that portion
% the Garfield order giving prefer.
once in fuel supplies to domestic us.
ers. the railroads, public utilities and
those industries necessary to the ma
tional welfare.
THE situation is looking much bet.
Tor" John F. Williams, state fuel
administrator, said yesterday. The
continued good weather is facilitat
ing fuel production and shipments
IN spite Of this, however.oa large
number Of manufacturing concerns
downstate are either shut down or
on the verge of closing, and it is to
this phase Of the situation to which
We are now turning"