Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-12-06

In order to forestall the POSSIBLE
tiles of a coal famine in this city
Washington merchants tonight. will
inaugurate period of Eighties
nights" which will continue as long
as the fuel crisis lasts.
All display electric signs. window
illumination and. in general, all cleo
trio and gas lights that can be dis
pensed with without hindering bust
ness will be turned OFF promptly at
$50 o'clock.
This action was decided by the
board of governors of the Merchants
and Manufacturers Association. and
of the railroad administration author
titles. 1t is pointed out that the VOL
untary action on the part of Wash
ington merchants will probably make
further restrictions unnecessary.
Action Held Essential.
Discussing the board of governors
action, Charles J. Columbus, general
secretary of the Merchants and Manu-
facturers' Association, said that 1t is
absolutely essential that the BUSH
ness interests Of the city take cog
nizance of the suggestion of the board
in order to avoid further restrictive
measures"
I'VE have no assurance that the
time for extinguishing all unneces-
SoAy ShkS w LII uOt Uc SHOTtcHeu,
Columbus said. IT has been short
ened IN other cities. T. tsda letter
from Kansas City today in which IL
was stated that every amusement
place is closed tight, and stores are
open only q few hours each day.
II know It ID the desire OF the local
fuel administration authorities TO
work hand In hand with the people
Of Washington. was told by officials
that. they were glad to hear we were
contemplating the move to curtail I'M
necessary lights in the Washington
stores. and that they looked forward
to our announcement.
Cites Seriousness of Situation.
THE business men of washin ston
for civic and national betterment.
feel sure that all who read yester-
days dispatch from Cumberland to
The Star have been thoroughly awak-
ened to what a tremendous crisis con-
fronts the nation at large. 1t is up
to the merchants and the general pub
lie in this city to conserve as much
fuel as possible in order, first, to
ward off a coal shortage. with, its
inevitable suffering here. and, second.
to help those sections of the country
which are in bad straits"
The special committee of the Wash
ington Board of Trade to investigate
coal conditions in this city will hold a
meeting Monday. William Clabaugh
members are W. w. Griffith. w. A.
Leetch, ". Hamilton Smith and John
J.. Newbold.
James T. Oyster, president Of the
Board of Trade, said today that he
learns Washington lis in fairly good
shape so far as supplies of coal is
concerned" One cannot tell, ne added:
how long this condition will last The
utmost CONSERVATISM, he said should
he observed to tide this city or:r ia"
crisis.
Institutions Enforce Eroc"m!
w!.!lc hospitals and ella ri.eele ;is.
tuticns are in no. Immediate d.nGci
of q coal famine, J. wa: .,o:ntcd %.
today, strict conservation mt. bcGs,.'
being enforced in :. rG'..uei of ins;.-
tutions. Orders have Deen i;silsd y
the Naval Hospital prohibiting Ut
necessary use CT lights or heat dHrln-,
the present crisis, looking toward fue-
saving. It vas said at st. Elizsbeths
Hospital, where hundreds Of she'll
shocked soldiers ana sailorc are ling
treated, that the cold weather cas-
necessitated a coal cohsuiHptioI o!
leo tons a day. At tais rate. !; w:s
stated, the supply OF naad WIZ ias'
more than month. u.
Officials of Georgetown C;iiVeTs:...
HOSPITAL said the Institution IS t3,-
fronted With nc Immediate danger.
and thai - supply cC coz sufc!eii'
for the hospitals needs has been as.
Sured.
Casualty Hospital hes snaae .'csei ~
supply, and is assured OF .i:rt:c: sup.
DIV by the fuel administraric::.
The Homeopathic Hospital has r.:
serve supply on hand. and officials o
that institution have been promised :
steady shipment Of fuel. The same az.
plies to the tuberculosis Hospital
Warns Against Gas Waste.
Warning against the waste Of NAT
uraI gas was issued yesterday By tie
Smithsonian Institution. Such WASTE.
according to tie statement, is one Of (.
the reasons for the ipc-eased COS; o.
living, since it causes a heavier ."f
on the supply of coal. thereby raj;
the price Of coal on account IF TIL
creased demand.
THE rude awakening comes.
the report, when the supply give S
and the householder is forced to
artificial gas at four. or five times =.
cost 1t is significant that our RAUL
gas supply is rapidly playing out, Us
shown by the fact that an average o.
fifteen towns are forced to ra;urn -
artificial gas every year"
Fast Train Connections