Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-01-12
PLANS TO SEIZE
COAL AT PLANTS
Fuel Administrator Garfield Out
lines Drastic Program to
Curtail Consumption.
HITS EVEN MUNITION MAKERS
Puts Theaters, Cabarets and
Other Places Of Amusement
on Restricted List.

WASHINGTON. January Il.-plan;s
making munitions and other war sup
plies may have TO curtail fuel consump-
ton during the next sixty days. Fuel
Administrator Garfield said tonight.
in statement assuring the public that
every effort would be made to distri-
butte the available supply of coal where
most needed. and that no partiality
would be shown any section.
Part Of the $4,000. 900 tons shortage
Of the past year has been made up. DR..
Garfield said, but there still is a large
deficiency. and it VIII be felt chiefly
;his month and next.
To meet the critical situation these
dch finite steps will he aiken:
l. seize pockets OF coal tina, are be-
ing held by manufacturers and others
against years use.
.. Curtail the allotment Of the sup
ply to large industries. including the
great munitions works.
3. Distribute the available supply
proportionatcly to the various parts Of
the country, az cording TO the import
cution Of the war.
!. Compel ,onessenti,l industries TO
reduce manufacture. already arranged
with the papa- board manufacturers
Nine classc: Lave submitted plans to
The administrator.
WOULD REDUCE COAL Used
IN THEATERS AND CABARETS
). Reduce the use OF coal in theaters
and other ainus",naM niarrs Including
cabaret shows and late night resiau-
rants.
T. r. Noyes, Of the fuel administra-
;ion. left to- might for New Eori: 10 dis
cUss the situation there WITH local oiii-
Cials and to take up with manufac-
,urers OF the less essential produces
the question OF reduction in consump-
ticn
There can he no possible -nliet for
at least sixty days. and within that
time the situation may grow much
worse than il IS new according TO DR.
Garfield.
Every one must conserve and cur
tall the use OF coal" he declared.
while war plants and public utilities
must be favored among industries, i; is
likely that they, too. will feel the
pinch. |: Is distressing TO be obliged
to witness the hardsiIips the people are
undergoing Demands are flooding the
fuel administration from municipnli-
ties, but no locality can be shown pref
crcnce. and coal will be distributed
e0uitably. with no favcrs shown. The
present situation is due almost wholly
10 railroad congestion"
SAYS VOLUNTARY CURTAILMENT
OF COAL Is WORKING WE'LL
Voluntary curtailment of the coal re-
quirements OF the less essential in
dustries is working well, Or. GARFIELD
said. and every industry asked To reduce
its use OF coal has shown a Willingness TO
cooperate. Most Of those asked 10 re-
duce consumption will accomplish it
by shutting down entirely for one day
each week. Some industries cannot
shut down easily for a day, and these
VIII be asked to cease operations for
as long as a month later in the year.
II was suggested that the glass in
dustry might be one of these. Paper
board Will start shutting down one
day in the week tomorrow, and il is
estimated that the coal saving for the
day will amount to about $1,000 tons
Explaining his recent order giving
State fuel administrators authority to
elise Industries to supply household
ers with coal. Or. Garfield said this
power would be permitted to be used
only in emergencies. and that the fuel
administration would decide the matter
Of reducing coal 10 industries VIXEN a
general policy was evolved. State fuel
administrators. he explained. could
close industries. theatcrs and other
establishments. though. if necessary to
tide over any emergency.