The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1919-12-17
Fuel Restrictions VIII Be Re-
moved as Rapidly AS
Possible
REGIONAL DIRECTORS
GIVEN AUTHORITY
Train. Service and Industrial
Plants. &c Resume Normal
When Output Warrants

Washington, Dec 12.-Regional di-
rectors of railroads We're given author
ity tonight by Director General Hines
: to remove restrictions on the use OF
light, heat and power derived from
coal as soon as the fuel situation way
rants.
The regional directors also were au-
thorized to restore train service re-
moved Or custailed To meet the coal
strike as soon as the fuel supply in
the various regions justifies.
Sending out Of the instructions con-
stituted the first step taken by the
government in the light OF expectation
that miners would accept the govern
men strike settlement proposal and
return to work. Director General
Hines in announcing his action said
conditions in the regions varied
greatly, and coal still was being ship
ped from the East TO the West, bat
that removal Of Restrictions might be
shortly justified.
The railroad administration recc:v-
ed unofficial estimates during the day
that from 65 to 20 per cent. OF the
miners had gone back to work. Pri-
ratc reports to operators said that Ii
Indiana nearly all the men had re-
turned, but elsewhere gosd deal of
delay was being shown.
Fue. Administrator Garfields' resis-
nation, sent to President Wilson yes
tArday, was discussed by White Hcase.
officials. who expressed the. belief that
It. WoaId he accepted. though il was
not indicated that the president Is yet
had acted The work Of the fuel ad-
,ainistration, it was said, probably
would be transferred to the railroad
administration DIR. Garfield refus-
ed to. discus tlaegsss tel-.s lsS>7-
ssEQperators representing the central
Pe1frsyavania district. one OF the lars;-
est in the United States. were th:.
first to act today upon the settle
n,ent proposal, and while accepting it.
criticised its terms with the utmost
vigor.
#. e. Earkness. counsel for the fs;t!
administration, anHonn2e6 daring TIE
Gay that the pr;ce Of coal contracted
for by purchasers prior to the rcsurap-
tino Of government price FIXING could
ND"'>
of the II per cent. increase in min
ers' wages granted under the strike
settlement. Coal mined on contract.
it was SAID. III most cases bore Il price
below the government maximum OF
tS235 pcr ton run. and contracts or
,dinari!y carried q cla!tSe binding the
purchasers TO pay additions in labor
costs incurred after Their making.
Feel administration statistics. i was
said, indicated that even after the
addition OF extra labor Costs. created
by the Il per cent Increase. the
largest portion Of the contract coal
still would be sold below the $3.50
maximum.
The government itself, through the
railroad administration. which con-
sumes normally 81 per cent. Of all
coal mined. VIII pay the largest
amounts under the ruling. it was
pointed out. The war department
contracts We're said to give power to
the secretary Of war to make adjust
ment. and as the settlement had the
support of the administration. it was
assumed that Secretary Baker would
approve the increase. Much OF tne
navy department. coal is being COM
mandeered and some OF the supply is
mined in the Pocahontas field, which
is non-union. Private and Industrial
consumers supplied by contract coal
will in most cases pay the increase. y
small amount of high class coal. un-
der the ruling. it was explained.
would be sold for a higher price than
the government maximum.