Evening star., 1946-05-09

would have to be continued for
weeks after the strike ended.
The end Of the coal strike won't
necessarily end our problems, j. H.
Ferry, Pepco general manager, de-
clared. There are many factors
that enter into the situation"
These factors, he explained, in
clude the probability that Pepco and
other utilities in the East would not
begin to receive normal allotments
OF coal for some time after settle
ment OF the strike. The long strike
probably has disorganized and i'm
paired coal mine facilities and this
would necessitate weeks of delay in
the actual digging and delivery OF
coal, he said.
He added that the Solid Fuels Ad-
ministration might have to continue
rationing Of coal to utilities and in
dustries for a considerable period
after the end of the strike.
Embargo Starts At Midnight.
The possible action next Tuesday
was described as "still somewhat
tentative" but it is understood to
have come in the face of shortages
expected to be intensified by the
freight embargo scheduled to go on
coal-burning locomotive trains at
midnight tonight.
The warning also was issued in
the face of improved compliance
with electricity restrictions already
in effect here. Pepco spokesman
earlier today reported that coal saw
ings during the "a hours which
ended last midnight amounted to 20
per cent. This was an increase of 4
per cent over the previous days
showing, but still short of the 30 per
cent goal.
The Commissioners statement
and the conference with the utility
companies heads also reflected the
growing acuteness of the situation
here despite a report by the gas COM
pany that 1t still Is in a compare
lively comfortable" position because
1t uses natural gas, oil and coke and
little coal in serving its 250,000 Gus
toners in the District and nearby
Virginia and Maryland.
Meanwhile, the Civilian Produc-
ton Administration urged Federal,
State and local authorities through
out the East and Middle East to es-
tablish a rationing plan, starting
with a brownout and progressing to
a blackout of all except vital serv-
ices. Some of the initial steps al
ready have been taken in the Dis
trict.
No Lights During Day.
The Office Of Defense Transporta-
ton directive for a Is per cent
freight embargo on coal-burning
locomotive trains and a further cut
in passenger service goes in effect at
midnight tonight. One of the early
results likely to affect the District
is a difficulty of obtaining fresh food
in large quantities.
The freight cut. order exempts
food and other perishables, but be-
cause of the showdown of freight
service and the problem of return
ing refrigeration cars there may be
some shortages soon in food de-
liverieS here, spokesman for the
United Fruit and Vegetables Asso-
citation said today
Orders issued by Virginia authori-
ties effective at midnight tonight
go considerably beyond those now
in force in the District. AL non
essention establishments in 81 coun-
ties, including Arlington and Fair
fax, will be restricted to "a hours a
week of electric power use. Amuse-
ment places will be cut of en-
tirely from electricity service. :
Newspapers, chain stores, moving
picture theaters and other estab-
dshments in nearby Virginia re-
ported readiness to comply to the
letter with the State Corporation
Commissions order.
The Alexandria Gazette and the
Arlington Daily are all set to 90
on a 24-hour power consumption
week unless the commission takes
some further action late today after
considering requests that newspa-
pers be exempted from the non
essential classification.
Paper to Cut Size in Half.
The Alexandria paper, an official
said, will operate on a four-hour day
and the papers size will be cut by
more than half. 1t ordinarily con-
tains IL pages. The Arlington Daily,
ordinarily publishing an eight-page
paper, will follow a similar pro-
cedure.
Spokesman for two Virginia movie
chains with IL theaters In the Alex
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. area, said
they will observe complete blackouts
after tonight. One owner said he
tried in vain to find a Diesel gen.
orator to run his projectors. The
only bright part of the picture to
the movie owners. one explained, is
that the elimination of electric pow-
er for theaters may give them an