New-York tribune., 1919-12-11
Plans Laid for
Stricter' Fuel
Rules i'm City
Continued from page I

Continued from page
tain no more, except through the
regional director.
Cabarets. dance halls. pool rooms
and bowling alleys, although sup
posed to remain open from to II
p. m. only, may utilize their four
hours any time between and IL
o'clock.
Display lighting of all kinds is
prohibited.
Department stores, it is sug-
gested should begin using light at
II o'clock in the morning and turn
off promptly at o'clock.
y Stores Oppose Restriction
This last semi-ofacial restriction was
opposed by representatives of most
OF the large department stores who
met in Mr.. Nixon's office yesterday.
They asked that instead of being
forced to cut down their lighting to
six hours day (most Of them are
open eight hours at presently they be
permitted to do business for the full
day with rs per cent of their lights
| turned on. This curtailment, it was
pointed out to Mr.. Nixon, would re-
suit in saving as great as if they
used full power only six hours day.
Mr.. Nixon said that he did not have
the power to modify the regulations.
He agreed however, to convey the pro.
posal to II. 3. Spencer, chairman of the
Central Coal Committee, at Washing
ton. The following telegram was sent:
Large department stores using pub.
lie utility current generated by btu
minous coal protest they are discrimi~
mated against in favor of private owned
plants using their own generators
They ask that instead of saving 25 pc
cent by reducing opening hours from
eight 20 six hours permission
granted to turn off 25 per cent of tn
light to run eight hours with daily
meter readings. Decision is requested"
Hard Coal Users Exempt
Many of the large department
stores generate their own current from,
anthracite coal. These, Mr.. Nixon said
last night, could use current twenty
four hours day if they desired.
Among the stores which reported
yesterday that they were not affected
by the order because their indeperd-
Bloomingdale's R. H. Macy's and Lord
& Taylor's. At McCreery's it was
said that bituminous coal was used,
although the store had it's independent
lighting plant
General Manager McMasters, of Lord
& Taylors, said that although his COM
pany relied upon anthracite coal for its
power there would be no hesitation on
the part Of the firm to close down for
Two hours to evlnce cooperation with
the fuel administration
Several of the large department
stores which use Edison current were
conducting business as usual yester-
day. Officials said that specific
ruling from the fuel administration
was awaited. A meeting Of the Retail
Dry Goods Association, made up of
representatives of the large depart
ment stores, was held yesterday, but
Secretary Trenholm said that it was not
deemed advisable to give out state
ment.
Nixon Arranges Conference
Representatives of business associa-
tions, trades and industries were in
vited yesterday to meet with Mr..
Nixon at his Office, 49 Lafayette Street.
this afternoon to discuss the effect OF
the restrictions and their interpreta-
tions.
Office buildings whose current is
generated through bituminous coal
must close at o'clock. Mr. Nixon is
determined that this regulation shall
be followed. He became angry in his
once at O'Clock last night when he
saw hundreds of squares Of light from
huge and smaller buildings.
Here it is more than an hour after
those lights should be out, if Edison
current is used, and yet no effort has
been made to put them out If these
people refuse to turn out their lights
We are going to have them turned out
for them"
The Commissioner said that if peo-
pie of this city refuse to abide by the
regulations there is a strong possi-
bility that New York will be ignored
when the next ALLEGATION Of coal takes
place. He also emphasized that Of
tenders would be prosecuted.
Many Have Own Plants.
Many of the larger buildings have
their own power and heating plants.
it was learned last night. The Wool
worth, Equitable and Singer buildings
generate current from anthracite coal.
it was said.
Order was obeyed in some large
buildings using public utility current.
The Fifth Avenne Building, for ex-
ample, posted a notice that lights were
to be turned off promptly at 4 D. m.
Employees of the building advised
tenants to observe the regulations
Inc building practically was deserted
at 4:30 p. m.
Owners and superintendents of
buildings in the garment manufacture
ing and wholesale silk districts yester-
day afternoon notified their tenants
that light and elevator service would
be discontinued at 4 o'clock Soon
after that hour the streets of this sec
ton were thronged with workers on
their way home. Some manufacturers
will protest against their landlords ac-
tion to-day. on the ground that Com
missioner Nixon had permitted them to
operate from 8 until o'clock.
Plans for economizing in the use of
light and heat were formulated yester-
day at a meeting of twenty-five execu-
tves of the trades making UP tho
Cloak, Suit and Skirt Manufacturers
Protective Association. Bulletins, print
ed in English, Italian and Yiddish, were
issued last night, to be posted in al
factories, outlining the new light and
power economy rules. Showroom lights
will be turned out. except when actual
y needed in the display of merchfn-
disc to buyerS Lights over machines