The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-12-02
USE OF CANDLES AFTER 4 P. M. IS REFUSED BY COAL
 REGIONAL BOARD
Regulations Apply Alike to Those Actually Burning Coal, Oil or Other Fuel and to Those Using
 Electric Power
By Associated Press

Atlanta, DecemDer 1.-l ne regulations effective today shortening hours of stores and industries in order to prevent a coal famine apply alike to in- dustries, stores and business houses actually burning coal, oil or other fuel in their plants and to those using electric power, hydroelectric or steam" the regional coal committee of the southern region announced here late tonight.
 The committee stated that hydro electric power already is being d. verted to distant communities depend ent ordinarily on steam produced elec- tricity.
 The committee relaxed It's regula tions. however to permit grocery and open until 6 D. m. daily except Satur- day, when their closing hour is p. m. It refused requests of other mer- chants coming under the classes closing at 4 p. m. that they be per- mitted to remain open after that hour provided they used only can dIes or kerosene for light and no heat.
 | The committee late today accepted an offer of the local Boy Scouts to do police duty" in connection with the regulations and it was expected sim l liar action would be taken in other | southern cities.
 1 In response to hundreds of requests | for interpretations from every section of the territory east of the Mississippi and south of the Potomac, except the Virginias, which is affected by the wartime regulations. the committee late tonight issued the following sum- mary of It's rulings:
 RULING SUMMARY
 'srhe regulations apply alike to l industries. stores hnd business
 houses actually burning coal, oil 1 or other fuel in their plants and to those using electric power, whether hydro-electric or steam. seThis question yvns given most strious consideration. The decision | was based, both upon the we'll Il known fact that most of the hydro | electric utilities consume cer-
 tain amount of conI, varying with
 the amount Of water power avnjI-
 able, and upon the conviction that
 to make any exception would i'm volve indefensibie discrimination and endanger the whole plan of conservation. the execution of
 which Is imperative for the safety l of the country.
 uIn this connection it may he
 stated thnt hydro-e1ectric power is now being diverted under direc-
 ton of this committee from vnrt- ous points of production to distant
 communities where users nrc
 largely dependent upon steam-
 produced eIectricit, and, there
 fore, power saved by the rcstric-
 tfons at points of production is saving conI elsewhere.
 | LAUNDRIES EXEMPTED | aOperntion of Iaundries and cleaning plants Is considered es-
 sentiaI from the standpoint of
 public health. therefore the re- strictions do not apply to such es- tabiishments.
 asThe committee wns convinced of the necessity for extending the hours of business of grocery and meat stores and milk depots and modification of the regulations was issued permitting such places of business to remain open until ?. m dnily except Saturday, when their closing hour is 9 D. m. "Many merchants and others urged that they he allowed to open
 before n. m. nnd close later than ', ?. m.. on condition thnt they |, used no light or h-nt or used cam dIes or kerosene ia.nps. No excep- . ton of this kindy can be made. Any
 exception would reAalt tn discrIm-
 fnation and tend to nullify efforts
 to enforce the regulations. ~Dance halls are ciassed as
 places Of public amusement.
 NPooI and billiard rooms. howl
 ing alleys shooting galleries ssd } (Csntinuea on Page EIeven)