The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-01-17
NATION Clasps

iutely necessary. Extra precautions
already have been ordered to prevent
outbreaks of any kind resulting from
enforced idleness of millions or WORK
ers for five days.
81 President in Conference.
AS the country awoke to the full
significance of the tremendous step
ordered by the government after con-
ferences between Fuel Administrator
Garfield. Secretary of War Baker.
President Wilson and state fuel admin
istrators, there was violent blast of
protest.
9 Congress, the White House and 9TH
er departments fairly shook under the
reaction from the order. That Gar
field had exceeded his authority was
charged both in the senate and house
circles and demands were made for
revocation of the order.
Despite this, however, there was no
indication that the order would be re-
Voked by the president.
Distribution of coal to all establish
Inents except public utilities and a few
Indispensable institutions was stopped
this morning.
All factories east Of the Mississippi
river, even those wo1 king on war con-
Tracts and excepting those manufac-
turing periShable food, must suspend
operations entirely tomorrow and con-
tinue in idleness until next Tuesday
night Tnder the fuel administration
order.
Mondays To Be Holidays.
The next ten Mondays will be virtual
holidays, when all industry and
amusement places must close. The
order is compulsory and carries a fine
of $4,000 or one years imp isonment
for violation. 1t will be enforced by
state fuel administrators.
Hopeless scarcity of fuel. combined
with congestion of shipments. caused
ny the recent storm tie-ups in the mid
die west. forced the fuel administra-
lion to take this sudden and far
reaching step.
Summarized the provisions of the
fuel administrations order are as fol-
lows:
pitfalls. charitable institutions public
utilities, ships, government buildings,
manufacturers of perishable foods
may operate continuously.
~ During five days from January Is
TO %, no manufacturing industry east
of the Mississippi may operate even
if it has coal on hand. Factories en-
gagged in war work not excepted
~ -'All states east of the Mississippi
1lver' include Minnesota and Louisi-
ana.
u $1,000 Penalty Attached.
e. These. regulations with additional
prohibitions on theaters and amuse-
ment places to apply each Monday
until March %.
Penalties of $1,000 or one years
imprisonment, provided under the
Lever act. giving authority for this
step.
Even in the face of pressing need
of war supplies, it was thought wise
TO suspend all production and so to-
morrow the work of making bullets
and guns and uniforms for American
Fighting forces will halt while the
country takes a hitch in its belt and
straightens out its local trouble. With
out such a radical step. it was pointed
out, more damaging delays might have
Occurred Unexpectedly at later criti-
cal moments.
All details of the gigantic stroke are
not made public. 1t is believed that
some notifications may be necessary
or further elaboration of the orders
Hundreds of conditions will arise I'M
expectedly. Doctor Garfield will rely
on state fuel administrators to handle
these on their merits so as to effec.
the greatest saving of fuel with the
least disturbance or loss of industry
Affects Western Industries.
But it was made clear today that
America faces a desperate situation
which only desperate steps can rem
edy. Every industry must bear rs