Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1919-12-02
fuel RESTRICTI0N
PUT into Effect
|BY GOVERNMENT
More Stringent Even Than
Those Applied During the
War-Due to Diminish
ing Coal Stocks.

Washington. Dec. WARTIME re-
strictions on the nations use of coal
more stringent even than those ap-
piled during the war, was ordered
into effect to stave off fuel famine,
Moved by reports of diminishing
coal stocks and growing danger Of
distress in numerous sections, the
government 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, act
ing in conjunction with the railroad
administration, gave notice that
hereafter only the essential eonsum-
ers included in the first five classes
of the war priority list would be
supplied with coal, and asked the
help of all state and municipal au-
thorities to make rationing effective
Local Men Upheld.
The order which made national
| those restrictions already put into
local effect by regional coal commit
tees where the pinch of fuel short
age has been felt, cuts off supplies
from all but transportation agencies,
which includes inland and 'coastwise
shipping as we'll as railroads, federal
and local government institutions
and establishments, including con-
Germs working on government con-
tracts; public utilities, including
newspapers and retail dealers. Rail-
road administration officials conced-
ed that it meant widespread cessa-
ton of industrial operations, only
justified by the gravity of the situa-
ton. .......
1T is necessary that coal shall
be used only for essential purposes"
DR.. Garfield said in giving public
notification of the step. Public
utilities consuming coal should dis
continue to furnish power, heat and
light to nonessential industries and
should consume only sufficient coal
to produce enough light, power and
heat to meet the actual urgent needs
of the people. Advertising signs
and displays Of various kinds neces-
stating the use of coal should be
curtailed and no coal should be dis
tributed for such purposes" ~.
Local Arrangements Vary.
Officials said that the terms of the
order as given were framed to allow
the greatest possible variation III
local arrangements so that em4gen.
cies could be met by action' best
suited to that result. Industrial es-
tablishme operating their own
power plants will be forced to shut
down when present supplies are ex'
hausted, while the operation of those
whose power is supplied from pub
lie utility plants will be curtailed OF
continued in the discretion 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 therefore,
Federal Power Final.
These arrangements, it was sug-
gested, would all be maintained
while they proved adequate, but the
federal government would hold a
final power to intervene by cutting
off coal supplies where rationing
measures are not being fairly or
fully taken.
Officials were hopeful that the ad-
vance of Ia per cent in mine work
ers' wages would result in getting
some of the men back to work, espe.
cially in view of the fact that coal
operators generally were backing up
the offer.
Members of a mine operators
committee were in Washington
watching the situation and preparing
for a general session Wednesday
when details of application of the
ID per cent increase will be arranged,
but had no reports of work resump-
ton.