The Monroe journal., 1919-12-02
MONROE DRY GOODS STORES
To CLOSE At FOUR O'CLOCK.
Grocery stores Must Also Close at q
y. VI. While M Store Tan Open
BEFORE % 4. M.-t'uel Order.

In compliance with orders issued
by the Federal government With a
view OF conserving fuel. Monroe dry
day, al p. M. until the order is re-
called, Grocery stores are required
to close at 8 p. m, and no merchant
is allowed TO open his place of bust
ness before a. m. Drug stores may
remain open after o'clock for the
sale OF medicine. but they cannu' .'i:-
pense drinks, tobacco and sundries al
ter that hour.
The order applies TO all stores re-
gardless of whether or not they use
fuel of any kind. Stores in the rural
districts are affected as well as he
city stores. The duration of the or
der is problematical, but some local
merchants believe the O'Clock clos
ing hour will continue through the
holidays.
The following Interpretation of the
closing hours was issued last night in
Atlanta:
THE regulations apply alike to in
uustries. stores and business houses
ACTUALLY burning coal. oil or other fuel
in their plants and to those using
electric power whether hydro-electric
or steam. This question was given
most serious consideration. The de-
cision was based both upon the well
| known fact that most OF the hydro
electric utilities consume certain
amount of coal varying with the
amount of water-power available and
upon the conviction that TO make any
exception would involve indefensible
| discrimination and endanger the
whole plan of conservation, the exc
Icution of which is imperative for the
| safety of the country. In this CON
nection ii 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-
duced electricity, therefore, power
saved by the restriction at points oil
production is saving coal elsewhere,
"rhe committee was convinced OF
the necessity for extending the hours
of business of grocery and meat stores
and milk depots and modification of
the regultions was issued permitting
such places of business to remain open
until 6 p. nj. daily except Saturday,
when their closing hour is . p. NJ.
/ Many merchants and others urged
that they be allowed to open before
a. III. and close later than p. III
on coh6it'on that they used no light
or heat or used candles or kerosene
lamps No exception of this kind can
be made. ANY exception would re
suit in discrimination and tend to
nullil. Efforts 20 enforce the regp .
tons.
Cigar and tobacco stands in hotels
restaurants and office buildings, rall-
road stations and other public places,
will be required to observe the hours
fixed for mercantile establishments
generally, except that such stands
may open for the sale of newspapers
and periodicals without restriction
Fruit stands and confectioners
will be required to observe the SAINT
hours as other stores. Where sand
wiches or food is served at such
stands or at soft drink or cigar and
tobacco departments may open before
a. IN. aud close after p. m. solely
tor the purpose of serving food. No
drink tcxcept coffee. tea or milk, to-
bacco or other things except food
shall be sold at such places except
between Q a. m. and 4 .. M"