Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 30, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 February 1918 — SUSPENSION OF CLOSING ORDER IS DELAYED [ARTICLE]

SUSPENSION OF CLOSING ORDER IS DELAYED

Supension of the heatless Monday order, forecast for several days, was postponed Tuesday night until today pending final reports from state fuel administrators and regional railroad officials on the coal and transportation situation. The intention had been to revoke the order Tuesday night, but at a conference Tuesday Fuel Administrator Garfield and Director-General McAdoo decided it would be best to obtain the fullest information before acting. Neither official, however, feared that anything in the reports to come would make necessary a change in plans. About the only part of the country now giving officials worry is New England, where the coal shortage is said to be as acute as at any time in the last few weeks. It was indicated Tuesday night if J. J. Storrow, fuel administrator for New England, decided that Monday closing should be continued in the New England states, nothing will be done to discourage him from issuing a special closing order for that section. Other state fuel administrators have authority to issue special closing orders for their territory but there were no indications Tuesday that they considered them necessary. Such orders would have to be referred to Washington for Dr. Garfield’s approval.