Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1919-12-04
AWAIT OFFICIAL WORD
BEFORE TAKING
ACTION
ORDER IS DRASTIC
DECISION LEAVES BUT LITTLE
NATiVE-ExPECT ARRlV-
Al OF FORM MESSAGE OUT
LINING PLANS OF PROCEDURE
UNDER FUEL SAVING RULING.

At 3:15 O'Clock it was, announced,
folio wing the meeting in Secretary
John M. O'kane's office, that the local
Business Mems Association would
wait for formal notification of the
utilities boards action in ordering a
six.hour day in stores. before any
positive steps were taken here. Word
10 expected from the state board
either later tonight or early tomor-
row.
The meeting. which was called af-
ter press reports were received out
lining the rules governing closing. put
the merchants decided to bde their
time until something more definite
was received as guide to govern
their future action.
A resolution was adopted at this
afternoons session doing away with
all outside electric advertising signs
and window lights until further no.
tce.
The edict will give the merchants
in the various cities no alternative ex-
cept TO obey il.
While indicat IONS late this afternoon
were tnat all Ottawa retail stores
would obey the mandate OF the Hi.
nois Public Utilities to reduce the op-
Grafton Of their store 10 q six hour
basis, there was every reason to be-
lieve that the rule would be put into
effect without any further delay.
This morning there was a brief con
ference with the civics committee OF
the Business Men's Association and
this afternoon at 3: 90 O'Clock another
meeting of the merchants was called
to discuss the situation. II is expect
sd a definite agreement will ne reach
Ell at this meeting, and that the decii-
ION will be to follow closely the rec
ommenda tions OF the utilities body as a
conservation method to save on the
citys available coal supply.
The Commissions Order.
The public utilities commission is
sued the following order yesterday ilX
ing a six and one.hali hour workday
for essential industries and other
drastic rules fer coal saving.
II Is therefore ordered thlt said pub
lie utilities. until the further order
the commission, shall govern them
selves, in furnishing ANA supplying
their service, by the following rules
and regulations, and shall enforce the
same in their dealings with their Gus
toners
Electric Lighting
All unnecessary interior and oy-
terror illumination, including siens
display lights and show windows. shall
hp entirely StODOed
TRANSPORTATION
Suburban and local transportation
schedules shall be reduced immp-
diately to the least number Of runs
that will accommodate necessary
travel requirements. As every 10 de-
grees by which the weather on sur
face and elevate dcars will save be.
tween $50 and 400 tons OF coal per
day, the temperature of carsand sta
tiOns at all times should be reduced
to the lowest point consistent with
public health and safety.
industries-
Work shops, industrial es,ablisn-
ments. wholesale businesses, mercan-
tile establishments and storage ware.
houses tcold storage warehouses and
rlants excepted shall receive scrv-
ice not to exceed six and one'haii
working hours CT the day between
the hours Of o a. m, and $3.50 m,
Where the nature oi the business re-
aures continuous operation, au
equivalent reduction mus be accor,.
rished by reducing vice at least
two working days week.
Retail Stores--
Retail establishment, &c all kind :