Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-01-19
BUNKERING OF SHIPS
PROGRESSES; SAILNGS
INCREASING RAPIDLY
Few Empty Cars, However,
Are Moving Back to
the Mines.
ALL SHIPS SOON
TO BE SUPPLIED
All Industries Producing
Munition Plant Materials
Exempted .

Washington, Jan. ia steadily
flow of coal to ships, homes
and public utilities was reported to
the fuel administration today as re-
suit of the second days enforcement
of the fuel restriction order. 4e
Apparently the railroad congestion
had not yet been much affected by the
order but milder weather conditions
had improved the situation in the east
and at the same time bad weather
paralyzed traffic again in the middle
west.
Business interests today seemed to
feel better about the governments
action and hundreds of kilograms
reached the White House and the fuel
administration assuring the govern
ment of cooperation.
Coal was reported today reaching
the seaboard in greater volume than
at any time in the last few weeks.
Homes and public utilities were re-
ceiving supplies of fuel diverted from
the industries closed down.
The diversion was delaying delivery
and unloading and slowing up the
movement of empty cars back to the
mines. Coal production for the next
normal, but fuel administration Off
Gals expect it to increase as soon as
the flow of empties is under way.
The railroad situation in the middle
west was so serious that it was sug-
gested to Secretary McAdoo. director
general of the railroads. that about
half of the present passenger trains
release locomotives for freight.
At the same time the railroad ad-
ministration was rushing locomotives
out of repair shops and from rail-
roads in the west to help get trains
through the heavy snow drift in states
H. IL ". -
of the middle west were reported
moving only from 20 to 40 per cent Of
their normal freight.
APPLICATION is ;sEiki1; :,
NOT so DRASTIC.
Although much of the confusion at
tending the enforcement of the fuel
administrations five day closing order
continued today it was evident that
its application would be far less dras-
tic than first believed
list of interpretations in specific
cases which probably will be given
general application was being prepar-
ed by fuel officials from which minor
exemptions may result to supplement
special rulings made yesterday. In
addition it was announced that food
administrators may be expected to
make further exemptions in the case
of food producing plants and related
industries Food Administrator Hooy-
er yesterday interpreted the closing
order to mean that no check would
be put on the manufacturing or dis
4 Set. r:po''0" Oh any essential food prou-
Backed by vigorous defense Of the
president. who yesterday gave his full
support to the closing Z der as i'm
perative to release coal 20 move sup
plies to the American army and the
allies DR.. Garfield today gave his at
tention to the situation at Atlantic
ports.
In the face of President Wilson's
statement that the order was issued
with his full knowledge and approval
and another explanation from DR..
Garfield declaring that the railroad
congestion is threatening the food
supply. vigorous opposition in con-
gress apparently has spent itself.
Few violations have been noted bv
fuel officials and these, it was believ-
ed were due to misundersta ndings. In
some cases even state fuel admins
traitors have not understood the orr
der.
.>ew York. Jan. IA marked i'm.
provement in the coal situation with
respect to the bunkering of ship. wa,
reported here today. The sailines Of
the last "a hours. it was learned. ex-
ceeded arrivals for the first time since
the bunker situation became alarm
ingly acute and the net number OF
delayed steamers in port waiting. coal
was today reduced to 110.
Reports to the fuel administrat ton
today showed transportation conges-
ton throughout the east being clear
ed and bunker coal being unloaded
In increasingly large quantities. Few
empty cars. however, have begun to
move back vet to the coal mines.
Serious consideration was given by
Fuel Administrator Garfield today to
the request of theaters that they be
permitted to close on Tuesdays rather
than on Mondays. 1t was indicated
that the change might be made.
Enough bunker coal will reach the
docks within the next three or four
days. 1t was said to supply all ships
now awaiting fuel. Bunkering, how.
ever. depends very largely ON hand-
ling facilities after the coal IL unload.
ed on the docks.
Fuel administration officials pre-.
dicted 1t would be at least a week
before coal mines began to receivA
l empty cars In numbers necessary =
keep production At a maxim ~
fusion resulting from diyersion of
tcontinusd on pass lol .'