Evening star., 1919-12-05
ECONOMY
IN COAL ADVISED
T0AVERT FAMINE
Washington in No Immediate
Danger of Suffering, Of
ficiaIs Say.

ficials of the central coal committee
of the railroad administration have
advised consumers here.
Assurance that there is no imme-
diate cause for alarm on the part OF
local coal consumers is given in the
presence of nearly 1000 loaded Goa
cars. which stand on the railroad sid
ings in and near Washington. This
surplus, which has been built up by
the District railroad administration
authorities during the past two
months, is sufficient to tide the city
over a temporary shortage. The sur
plus fuel is for general use in the
District, but will be released spar
ingly, it was stated.
Business men and merchants in this
city realize the need for conservation
of fuel, 1t was pointed out to The
Star today, and already many have
adopted drastic measures to ward Off
possible suffering later in the winter.
Washington theater managers, at
q meeting yesterday afternoon in the
office of Harry M. Crandall, decided to
curtail the use Of electric current for
theatrical display to a point repre-
sentative of actual business require
mentS.
Railways to Cooperate.
Both the Washington Railway and
Electric Company and the Capital
Traction Company have decided to cut
down as far as possible heating the
That the $4,000 consumers Of gas in
Washington need not fear freezing
this winter was the statement made
today by Howard S. Reside, president
of the Washington Gas Light COM
.-The washington Gas Light Com
pany has been foresighted enough to
law in enough coal to last 1t until late
in April." Mr. Reside told a Star re-
porter today. There are more than
$1,000 tons on hand at the present
time 1t takes an average OF IV.Ooo IONS
Of anthracite coal yearly TO make gas to
fill Washington's needs. When the BIZ
luminous strike was called we had
5000 tons of soft coal on hand. TWO
weeks ago the fuel administration
began diverting our shipments OF ol-
luminous coal, but we will not have
to worry about that. We can use
hard coal dust with mixture OF tar
to feed our boilers.
1.-THE $4,000 consumers OF gas In this
city need not worry about freezing. for
they can use gas if their coal supply
runs out"
Need for Conservation.
There is no change from yesterday
in the coal situation, but the need for
conservation is just as great as
tried to point out to members of the
Merchants', and Manufacturers As
general secretary Of the association, to-
day: -
The government officials in charge of
the local fuel, situation were cheerful
this morning..and- said that they be-
collectively and individually, con-
served coal In. g practical manner
there ID no REASON, to expect but that
we Will fe1hk ssalk dreams Of a merry
Christmaek1na a happy new year.
A1t ism fh2stYiduafs as well as
tie public's interest that firms and
homes should practice economy in the
nous coal to make a smixture of btu
minouss- pea and .huckwheat coal on
the basis Of a 33h per cent mixture
so, th8t thersupplieS'that are available
for the District of Columbia may last
the longest period possible"
=. Plan .Instituted Last Night. . ...
The plan to eliminate superhuous
lighting was put into effect last night
in Washington theaters. All outdoor
illumination was extinguished at $3.50
o'clock. Motion picture houses aban-
doned all electrical displays except en-
trance lights necessary to public
safety.
It was said today that this voluntary
curtailment of power will be contin-
ued by local theaters until the situa-
ton is materially relieved.
Anticipating a movement looking
toward the closing of theaters and
other amusement enterprises during
the coal shortage period, Harry o.
Jarboe. manager of the Gayety The
ater, voiced a strong protest against
such action. He pointed out that
while theatrical managers in this
city have been liberal in putting
across government propaganda when
it was necessary, they are usually the
first to suffer in times Of famine. epi-
demic or distress"
The theatrical managers will estf-
mate the amount Of fuel saving as
the result Of their voluntary restric-
ton and present the figures to the
railroad administration as an exam
pie to other industries and enter
prices Of what can be done in the way
Of fuel construction.
Surplus for Only Few Days.
It was pointed out that the surplus
coal now on the railroad sidings near
Washington would last but a few
days in case the incoming supply were
nearly sixty cars of coal coming into
Washington every day during the
past two months, railroad administra-
ton officials said. 1t is from this sup
ply and the quantity of coal already
at hand that the District railroad ad-
ministration authorities have built up
the surplus now being held.
The majority of the loaded cars
stand on the Pennsylvania railroad
sidings, as most Of the coal received
ped over these lines from the West
virginia fields
When a consumer seeks coal his
reserve supply is first ascertained by
railroad administration authorities
If there is apparently an ample store
more fuel is refused. This action hat
caused some coal consumers to give
unwarranted stories of an alarming
nature, government officials stated
All coal users in the District will have
their immediate needs furnished, Il
was said.
Mr. Garfield Resumes Reins.
Fuel Administrator Garfield re
turned to Washington today and re
sumed personal charge of the nationa
coal situation. Following a confer
ence with Assistant Attorney Genera
Charles B. Ames. who is supervising
proceedings against leaders of tn,
United Mine Workers at Indianapolis
DR. Garfield went to the cabinet meet
ing and discussed with the heads o
the federal departments the presen
actual situation and new steps to b'
taken to increase production.
The fuel administrator was opti
mistic regarding the outlook, but eau
tious about making predictions. Hi
Office literally was besieged with call
ers from all regions east of thu
Rocky mountains. Most of them wer'
seeking interpretations Of the priorit.
| list Of essential and non-essential in
dustries. From the reports submitted
| it. was clear that local authorities arr
| interpreting variously and evokint