East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1919-12-15
Edict Puts Situation Squarely
Between Business Men on
One Side and U. S. Fuel Ad-
rpinistration on Other.
STORES PLAN TO OPEN
DOORS AT 8 OR 10 A. M.
Restaurants, Dances, Pool Halls
Will Operate Without Re-
striction as Long as Govern
ment Does Not Step in.

| All business houses in Pendleton
may operate as in normal times, COM
mencing today, by order of Mayor
John l. Vaughan today. His edict
puts the situation squarely between
the business people on the one side
and the United States fuel administra-
tion on the other side.
The abrogation of last weeks dras-
tic closing order was made in spite
OF the fact that there is not an ounce
of coal in the hands of dealers in the
city. The mayor explained that the
wide open order Was made because
of the concentrated complaint from
all quarters Feeling that no one was
satisfied with local restrictions he de-
cided to leave the matter up to the
business people and the fuel diree-
tors.
Under the schedule as prepared last
week by the mayor, business houses
were allowed an eight-hour day.
whereas the government prescribed a
six-hour day In other ways the To-
cal order was more lenient than that
of the government. If the fuel ad-
ministration objects to Pendleton con-
tinuing business as in normal times.
the merchants and others will have
the government to deal with.
Some TO Open at 1000
Department stores will open at 10
and close at 6 o'clock, while others will
open at s The restaurants, dances and
pool halls viii operate without re-
striction and the motion picture the
aters will resume tonight. The only
rpuuaSf is that 10 nj Hp6
between and o'clock conserve as
much as possible. That is taken TO
mean that electric signs and lighted
window display will be taboo during
these hours. The electric company
is able to furnish sufficient light for
the eitys needs, DIR. f. w. Vincent.
manager, reported today, but not for
power. sThe gas situation is satisfac-
tory, he said.
Business houses may use their own
Judgment regarding their hours so
long as the fuel administration does
not step in.'' Mayor Vaughan said to-
day. When they run out of fuel they
will not be given more, however. so
long as private homes or instsitutions
need fuel. Each can look after his
own interests"
All Want Normal Trade.
Business of all descriptions has
been using pressure to be allowed to
keep open just a little longer. The
spirit reported prevalent during the
has been one of fear that
the competitor would be given better
han an even break. Realization of
the situation and of the sacrifices
made by hundreds of other cities
has not come TO Pendleton.
Not an ounce of coal is available
for distribution today. according to
lealers. There is wood enough to last
lntil about Wednesday at the present
rate of sale in half cord lots Mayor
is endeavoring to get release
IF two more cars of coal at once. al
he local yards.
Wood Cars Promised.
The O.-W. r. & " company today
promised to dispatch seven cars at
once to Meacham to load cordwood
rom a pile there. This will be sent
% Pendleton to assist in relieving the
situation but the first two or three
sars are not expected before Friday or
There are two or three
'ars of Utah coal for Pendieton be-
ween Huntington and here.
One car of slack coal for the East
arn Oregon state hospital in Pendle-
ION is still held by the fuel admins
ration and frantic efforts are being
made to have that. RELEASED for the
hospital II is operating on its re-
serve supply Of fuel oil and this is
rapidly diminishing. according to re-
port.