The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1919-12-06
THE FUEL ORDER
IS EXPLAINED
Regional Coal Committee In
forms the Public What The
Regulations Mean

Atlanta. Dec 1.-The regulations
effective today shortening hours OF
stores and industries in order 10 pre-
vent coal famine apply alike 10 in
dustries. stores and business houses
actually burning coal oil or other fuel
in their plants and those using cleo
tric power whether hydro-electric
! or steam.'' the regional coal commit
tee of the Southern region announced
/ here late tonight.
| The committee stated that hydro
electric power already is being di-
verteo 10 distant communities depend
ent ordinarily on steam produced cleo
tricity
The committee relaxed its regula-
meat stores and milk depots to re-
man open until 6 p IN. daily except
Saturday when t.ieir closing hour is
| s p. M.
i It refused requests of other mer-
Giants coming under the classes clos
ins at 4 p. nl.. that they be permitted
/ t. remain open after that hour pro
vided they used only candles or kero-
sene for light and no heat.
The committe late today accepted
an offer of the local Boy Scouts to do
i police duty in; connection with the
regulations and it was expected SIM
/! liar action would be taken in other
Southern cities.
In response to hundreds Of re-
lorfsts for interpretations from every
section OF the territory east Of the
Mississippi and south Of the Potomac:
except the Virginias. which is affected
by the war time regulations, the COM
mittee late tonight issued the follow
ing summary Of its rulings:
The regulations apply alike to in
dustries, stores and business houses
actually burning coal, oil or othe,
fuel in their plants and to those using
electri> power whether hydro electric
er stem. This question was given
most serious consideration. The de-
tision was based, both upon the we'll
known fact that most OF the hydro
electric utilities consume a certain
an:0unt of coal varying with the
amount of water power ayilable, and
upon the conviction that to make any
exception would involve inde-
fensible discrimination and endanger
the whole plan of conservation, the
execution. of which is imperative for
the safety OF the country. In.this con-
nectien it may be stated that hydro
( electric power now is being diverted
under direction of this committee
from various points of production to
distant communities where users are
largely dependent upon steam pro-
.laced electricity and, therefore. pow
er. saved by the restrictions at points
of production is saving coal else
where.
Operation of laundries and clean
ing plants is considered essential from
the standpoint of public health; there
fore the restrictions do not apply to
-ssseia~es.a hlishn1ents
The committee was convinced of
the necessity for extending the hours
stores and milk. depots and d modi-
t.cation Of the regulations was issuad
permitting such places of business to
re main open until p. r:. daily eXz
cept Saturday. when their closing
hours are p. m.
Many merchants aud others urged
that they be allowed L: open before ,
a. n: anc close later than 4 p. m., on
condition that they used nc light or
heat Or used candles or kerosene
la.np: No exception IF tbs kind can
be made. Any exception would re-
suit in Discrimination and tend to
nullify efforts to enforce equations.
Dance halls are classed as places
OF public amusement.
Pool and billiard rooms, bowling
alleys. shooting galleries and similar
establishments are claSsed as places
OF public amusement. The manage
ments Of such places. where cigars.
tobacco or soft drinks stands a.c
maintained may. if they desire. opel :
ate under the regulations, applying to
merchants. If so they can not Cal!
themselves places OF public amuse-
mentor obserye the hours fixed for
such places. Those who electTto be
sclassed as public amusements will not
brS pei iilllSQ W lilS2i NASoA S@AAN W
bacco or soft drink stands after p.
m.
Cigar and newsstands and public
places will be required to. observe
hours fixed for mercantile establish
ments except that such stands may
open for the sale of newspapers and
periodicals without restrictions.
packers and other wholesale hand
lers of perishable food products are
regarded as excepted from the reg
ulation so far as may be necessary for
the proper conduct of their business
Fruit stands and confectioners will
be required to observe the same hours
as other stores. When sandwiches -
food is served at such stands or ut
soft drink or cigar and tobacco and
and department stores. such stan is
CT departments may open before a.
nn and close after 4 p. m. solely fer
the purpose OF serving food. No drink
Except coffee. tea or milk) no toba:-
co, or other things except food shall
be sold at such places except be
tween a q M and ! ~ M