New-York tribune., 1919-12-03
Drastic Steps
Taken bv L. s.
To Save Fue]
Regional Directors Author
ICED TO Cut Off Passen-
ger Trains: Bunkering of
Foreign Vessels Stopped

WASHINGTON, Dec. 2 Government
agencies took radical measures today
to conserve the nations dwindling sup
ply of coal The Fuel Administration
directed that after midnight next lri-
day the bunkering of foreign ships IN
American harbors be stopped. Director
General Hines Of the railroad adminis-
tration instructed regional directors to
discontinue passenger trains that can
be taken off with the least inconven-
ience to the public. Another cgrtail
ment measure was placing inland
waterways on the same basis of coal
supply as the railroads.
The order OF Director General Hines
TO regional directors was made public
in 'he following statement:
With view to the further conser-
vation Of coal all regional directors Of
tho railroad admiHi stration have been
instructed to review the situation care
fully and have been authorized to
eliminate passenger trains that can be
spared with the least Inconvenience to
the public
Dark Broadway Imminent
Suspension of many trains is expect
cd within the next Iew days. Electric
signs along Broadway. New York. and
the darkcning of the Great White
Way is said TO be imminent. Similar
action throughout the country is pre-
dicted.
In Chicago to-day regional officials
declared about 5000 plants. employing
5000. 600 men, in the Chicago district,
and more than 600, 600 in the North
western region, probably would shut
down as re,ult of the added restric-
ton on coal deliveries.
T. " Proctor, regional coal chair
man Of the Northwest, asserted there
were bat 5000 cars Of coal available
for the use of 100000 600 people. He
suggested it might become necessary
to coniiscatc supplies OF schools and
also private owners Of the non
essential class 20 meet the necessities.
The Southwest regional coal com
mlttee ordered that business hours of
all retail durg stores. except drug
stores. be restricted to Q a m. to
D. m. Schools were closed in several
cities. among them Cheyenne. Wyo.,
and Springfield III, the latter city the
home of John l.. Lewis, leader of the
striking coal minors.
Kansas Only Bright Spot
Meanwhile no progress was made
toward ending the strike, save that the
Kansas volunteer miners began to pro
duce coal and OF relieve the shortage
IN nearby towns.
Word came from Indianapolis that
officials Of the Department Of Justice
We're about ready to proceed against
strike leaders for violation Of Judge
Anderson's injunction. but there were
no signs here that the government was
ready 10 take any such vigorous action
against the men VINO are prolonglng
the tie-up. The only official word was
that the government was awaiting de-
velopmcnts. Production or coal dropped
below the total Of the spending
day Of last week. bat operators and
others watching results were told the
government intended to stand pat un>
il was fully determined whether public
demand would induce the striking
miners to resume work.
Cognizance was taken here o-day Of
the intimation by strike leaders that
the anthracite miners are ready 10
walk out. Frank Harrington. president
Of the Illinois miners, said in SPRING
field, ILL.,, to-day if the bituminous
miners "fnd themselves hard pressed
the anthracite miners may decide to
come to their aid"
Howat Seconds Prediction
Last Monday Alexander Howat, pres
ident OF the Kansas miners. predicted
that the $50 600 anthracite miners Of
Pennsylvania would be out in two days.
However, the anthracite mines are still
working, and officials believe that they
VIII continue production.
In carrying out Dr.. Gartield's pro-
gram for maximum use of local dis
cretion in rat.oning coal TO meet emer-
gencies aud constantly changing condi-
lions. the 81. Louis regional coal com
mittee ordered late opening and early
closing for retail stores. Elsewhere
state and municipal authorities took
similar steps 10 conserve diminishing
coal supplies.
Under the fuel administrator
Continued on page twenty-one