Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 283, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 December 1917 — Order “Lightless Nightss" Sunday and Thursday [ARTICLE]

Order “Lightless Nightss" Sunday and Thursday

Washington, Dec. 14.—The fuel administration issued an order today putting into effect “lightless nights’’ on Sunday and Thursday of each week. The first “lightless night” in the United States since electricity began to be used for illumination will be next Sunday night. Under the new orders the “white ways” of all cities are to disappear absolutely on the nights designated. The burning of lights contrary to the wording and spirit of the order will constitute a violation of law and steps will be taken to punish offenders. * The only exceptions apply to lights used for government purposes by the United States government or the government of any commonwealth or state and street lights used by any city or town or within any city or town under a contract with the officials thereof for such maintenance. But, it is expressly stated, no “white way” or cluster lights may be used under any circumstances. In addition to lhe saving of a large quantity of coal it is believed that “lightless nights” will provide startling visual evidence that the United States is engaged in the conduct of the greatest of world wars. Letters received by the fuel administration from companies and individuals in the business of supplying illuminated signs and from manufacturers, merchants, and motion picture and other entertainment concerns that make large use of such signs give assurance that the new order will become fully effective without resort to prosecution.