The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-10-31

for two orders, in preparation by
Or. GARFIELD. United States fuel adj
n7in!strator. which when he affixed
His signature would take tho status
of laws
President Wilson took an active
hand in the situation late today
Nhen he summoned Attornev-Gen-
eral Palmer to his bedside and in 4
snty-mtnute conversation with
that cabinet officer reviewed all Of
the plans OF the admin istraIon to
date The president. who has beea
IN constant touch with events
through consideration Of the reporta
sent him daily by Secretary TumuIty
vas anxious TO have hrst hand In
form alton on all phases OF the sub
1Act from the attorney-xeneral who
at present Is acting In his behalf In
the strike developments
TIE frst of these was the order
governing maximum prices on coal,
and the second was an order provid-
M Tor the proper distribution Of
coal 77,'
Dr. GARFIELD and nirector. Of Rail-
road Hines were both in consulta-
ton with the cabinet and their plans
for nneeting the problem Of distribu-
tion were approved
ALWAYS READY.
secretarv of war Baker. when
asked about the war departments
preparations replied
The war departments functions
IN connection with the coal strike Is
not primary one. The war depart
mem IS always ready to set when
need arises"
.s. Act'ng under. entharit~-s rtwpvls. ntrs,
blythe cabinet, Director Of Railroads
Hines will conhscate all coal in
transit II necessary. TO build up re-
Serve for the operation OF the roads
Ta@ administration Is. ~y rAsflvsds
Thar railroad transportation shall not
be trrArfsred with by the strike ANY
decrease Of transportation facilities
might seriously interfere with thA
sending Of needed supplies to the
large centers Of population and send
up the cost Of living This calamity
The administration is determined to
currail as far as possible
II was decided to re-establish the
priority list Of the United States fuel
administration so that the railroad
authorities public utilities and essen
tial Industries shall have first call
on whatever coal is mined a. we'll ~
on all coal in storage The order
in which the coal supply will be dis
tributed will be first public utilities
and essential industries: SECOND. the
general public and lastly general in
dustries not regarded ~ essential.
Secretary Lane said that IL the
strike naaterialIsed and the -pFoauo~v
ton of coal is greatly reduced the
government would not hesitats 70
ask Industries to cut down their con-
sumption by so per cent
ENCOURAGING VIEW.
Secretary Lane gave an encnurag-
ing view Of the situation ~ q
touched the needs Of HOUSEHOLDS 81
the demands Of essential INDUSTRIES
He said the railroads had at least
thirty-day supply on hand. He eo4e.
mated that the coal produced BY
miners who will stay At work viii
COO tons for railroads.. 10000. 900 tons
FOR domestic use and 7s,ooN0oo tons
for public utilities.
The big problem" Mr.. Lane sAiA
SIS to take care OF the industries.
Much coal is in storage. brit We 10
not know the exact location and cam
not tell how soon or how extensively
Industries will suffer-
Fuel Administrator Garfield
will not rebuild the fuel admin
istration. but will control d1stri.
button through tho railroad adj
n1in!stra ton.
Unde. Mr. Garfield's aixthoF~
ity the duties OF thu fuel admin
istration 10 he taken over by the
railroad administration win tn
clude the Communicating Of
fuel, the ALLEGATION OF cars, tho
granting OF preference in coal
shipment and the fixing OF max
inum prices.
It was announced at the
white house. today that prices
would he fixed as soon ~ pos
sible in order to check any
proffteering during the strike
period.
In replying to a specific ques-
ton Attorney-Gen Palmer
stated The fixing OF maximum
prices ny the fuel adnainistrator
would include anthracite "a wAu
as bitIminous coal
The administration was nanve4lc
the decision 70 restore r1Axitnu1n
prices OF beth anthracite sn4 0leN1
ipous coal ~ the r1prNQl Ia
thu un1n&gD 4&n& r. nunH II