The Washington times., 1919-12-06
SAVING
URGED UPON
USERS HERE
Merchants Association Asks
Members to Shut Off Display
Lights at $50 P. NJ.

Voluntary conservation of coal by
merchants and other large consumers
In the District was urged today by
officials of the Merchants and Manu-
acfurers' Association as preventive
measure against a possible local coal
shortage.
While eursory survey OF business
firms. apartment houses and hospitals
reveals that such institutions have not
as yet felt the lack of coal, all con-
sumers are being warned that ex-
trayagant use of coal at this time will
bring restrictions by the central coal
committee that will imperil the nor
NAL progress of business.
The Merchants and Manufacturers
Association today issued the follow
ing bulletin 20 all its members urg-
ing that they shut of electric and
other Illuminating lights Of windows
and on display signs at $50 o'clock
each evening during the present fuel
crisis.
Hour May he Changed.
This pian,r the bulletin says, ~has
the hearty Endorsement Of the Rail-
road Administration, but the hour
may be set forward as the needs OF
the situation demand. A strict COM
pliance with the $50 Tights out sug-
gestion for show windows and adver-
tising illumination will be highly
benefcial. This voluntary act on your
part viii make further restrictions
unnecessary"
Failure to comply with conserve
ton appeals at this stage of the coal
situation, Charles J. Columbus, secre-
tary OF the Merchants and Manufsc-
turers, Association. said today would
result tn restrictions being placed on
washington business houses. schools
and places of amusernents similar to
those now In force In numerous West
ern cities, where only essential In
dustries are permitted to operate- A
concerted effort to forestall the fm-
position of any such arbitrary meas
ures is the basis of the bulletin Is
sued by the association today.
Ce-Operaxien Has Aided.
Co-operation on the part Of local
coal dealers and foresight on the
part OF consumer have given the as
surance that Washington will not be
-shard hit" IL consumers continue to
exercise the same Judgment In the
use of coal.
While production In the central
competitive field IL reported as being
on the Increase. 1t Is emphasized by
authorities that the situation still is
serious and that the necessity for re-
strictions, preferably selfimposed re-
strictions. is still urgent
Anxiety has been oppressed as to
the supply on hand at the local hos
pitfalls and the arrangements that
have been made for further supplies.
A number of the hospitals reported
today that they were being well taken
care of.
At the Chlldren's Hospital IL was
learned that the reserve storage ca
pacity of the institution has been
fiiied with coal for the winter. and
that local dealers are supplying its
daily needs regularly.
I'VE have no reason for concern"
declared an official OF the Columbia
Hospital today. ~our needs are be-
ing properly met from time to time.
in addition 10 which we have a sup
ply on hand that would last us sew
eral weeks. IL we were called upon
to tap that source" -
The new Emergency Hospital re-
ported that the institution was be-
ing supplied with plenty of coal, and
that a serious shortage was not an
debated