The Columbus dispatch. (Columbus, Miss.) 19??-1922, 1919-12-03
MORE ABOUT
FUEL SITUATION

WASHINGTON, Dec. Wartime
restrictions on the nations use of
coal, more stringent even than those
applied during the war, were order
ed into effect today to stave off a
fuel faminine.
Moved by reports Of diminishing
coal stock and growing danger of dis
tress in numerous sections, the gov
eminent sought no compromise with
striking mine workers whose walkout
forced the emergency, but asked for
national determination to endure
privation and discomfort until coal
mining was resumed on its terms.
Fuel Administrator Garfield, acting
in conjunction with the railroad ad-
ministration, gave notice that here
after only the essential consumers in
cluded in the first five classes of the
war priorities list would be supplied
with coal, and asked the help of all
state ard municipal authorities to
make rationing effective.
The order, which made national
those restrictions already put into To-
cal effect by regional committees
where the pinch Of fuel shortage has
been felt, cuts of supplies from all
with the exception of transportation
agencies, which includes inland and
costwise shippers as well as railroads;
federal and local government institu-
tons and establishments, including
concerns working on government con
tracts; public utilities, including
newspapers, and retail dealers. Rail
road administration officials said that
it meant widespread cessation of in
dustrial operations, only justified by
the gravity Of the situation.
at is necessary that coal shall be
used only for essential purposes" Dr.
Garfield said in giving public notifca-
ton of the step.
Must Cut OF Power.
Public utilities consuming coal
should discontinue to furnish power,
heat and light to n0lessential indus
tries and should consume only suf-
ficient coal to produce enough light,
power and heat to meet the actual
urgent needs of the people. Advertis-
ing signs and displays of various
kinds necessitating the use of coal
should be curtailed and no coal should
be distributed fer such purpose"
Officials said that the terms of the
order as giydn were framed to allow
the greatest possible variation in local
arrangements, so that emergencies
could be met by action best suited to
that result. Industrial establishments
operating their own power plants will
be forced to shut down when present
supplies are exhausted, while the OPP
erations of those whose power is sup
piled from public utility plants will be
curtailed or continued IN the discre-
ton Of local agencies and officials.
DR.. Garfield noted further that the
government would be glad to leave
supervision and control of distribution
by retail dealers entirely to any state,
county or municipality which may
make provision therefor"
These arrangements, it was sug-
gested, would all be maintained while
they proved adequate, but the federal
government would hold final power
to intervene by cutting off coal sup
plies where rationing measures are
not being fairly or fully taken.
Garfeld's Statement.
at is necessary that coal shall be
used only for essential purposes said
DIR. Garfelds statement, explaining
the governments action. "Publc
utilities consuming coal discontinue
to furnish power, heat and light to
non-essential industries and should
only consume sufficient coal to pro
duce enough light, power and heat
to meet the actual urgent needs of
the people. Advertising signs and dis