Image provided by: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Lincoln, NE
About Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 2, 1919)
THE BEE: OMAHA, TUESDAY. DECEMBER Z, 1919. COLD WEATHER ON WAY AS CITY BOWS TO RULES Industrial, Educational and Social Life Affected by ' Sweeping Order On ' Coal. i (Conttatwd Trom Tf Oaa.) the Rock Spring. Sheridan and tion to some extent and the fuel committee stated that 132 more cars of Rock Springs coal are near Omaha. ' ; .May Kill Film Business. Members of the Omaha Moving Picture Film board met yesterday at the Chamber of Commerce to dis cuss the effect of the terminal fuel committee order limiting their to 2 p. m. If this order is rigidly enforced it will mean the losing of practically all the film distribution business which' has been built up in Omaha, according to members, as most of the shipping of films is done after 4 p. m. Omaha is a distributing point for a large part of Iowa and Ne braska, it was pointed out, but if Omaha film houses failed to make deliveries, Chicago, Kansas City and Minneapolis houses would quickly step in and fill the breech. Members, of the ftirn board hope to be allowed to make shipments after the regular closing hours, ac cording to their attorney, Eugene N. Blazer. There are 15 film distribut- inir Ikmigui in th ritv anrt tti rnm- bined yearly business of the houses totals about $10,000,000, Mr. Blazer said. Theaters Want "Part Time." , A committee representing the the ater employes of Omaha appeared before W. M. Jeffers, chairman of the general fuel committee, yester day, and requested that the places of amusement be allowed to remain open on part time. The committee stated that 1,000 employes in' this business are out of work. 5 Mr. Jeffers replied that the gen eral cfosing order would not be modified and he told the committee that he would endeavor to obtain temporary railroad employment foi the theater employes. As result of the coal conserva tion order the pool and billiard room of the Chamber of Commerce was closed at noon yesterday. Unemployed Grave Feature. An increasing number of unem ployed is noticed throughout the city, this being considered the most frave feature of the coal shortage, he closing of theaters, pool halls and the general restriction of busi ness is resulting in less employment. The free employment bureau in the city hall last Saturday had marked evidence of this fact by the appear ance of 150 men and youths begging for work. "We can not meet the demand for employment," said C. A. Davis, head oi nits oureau. As an instance of this situation, V.VKUUII i III f vvn, nuw i u Dodge hill grading .work, could use 50 men now if . they could obtain coal.l ? Various construction jobs ha ve;been closed on account of lack of coal. ' The problem of unemploy- m.nf ; 0nfrsl1v renrded as the most serious factor of the situation. Divert Coal to Omaha. E. E. Calvin, federal manager of the Union Pacific lines, said: The coal produced at the Union Pacific .mineswill be diverted to Omaha as much as possible and desperate ef forts are being made up to supply the towns along our lines. We have received no reports of suffering in these towns." - . Mr. Snyder said: "The clearing off of the switchmen's trike at Kan sas City helps the Omaha situation materially, because we are depend ing much on the supply of fuel oil and gasoline, most cf which passes through the Kansas City terminals. The shortening of retail shop ping hours necessitates a speeding up by clerks and customers. Mer chants are emphasizing the im portance of patrons carrying their purchases, because deliveries are uncertain. Will Enforce Regulations. v The coal administration is prepar ing to enforce its regulations which which have been announced. The Nebraska Power company re ported that the restrictions which went into effect yesterday re sulted in a reduction of 25 per cent of the normal electrical energy re quired during the early business hours of the day. The plant is now consuming fuel oil equivalent to 150 tons of coal a day. The coal com mittee is endeavoring to supply this plant and the packing plants as much coal as possible. It was agreed yesterday that the. packers will reduce their working hours to a minimum. Bakers also have agreed to reduce their coal consumption to the lowest possible amount. W. M. Burgess of M. E. Smith & Co. stated that his company will not reduce the wages or salaries of employes, although the working hours have been reduced to 8 a. m. to 2 pi m. Machine operators who are paid on piece-work basis will be paid during this emergency on the basis of their previous average earn ings. Workers in the packing and shipping rooms will continue at their work after 2 p. m., as long as the temperature will permit . Ruling on Drug Stores. At the close of a long session yes terday morning, during which rep resentatives of various lines of in dustry and other activities were in conference, , the federal fuel com mittee announced the following rul ings fpr Omaha and Council Bluff9. . Drug stores to be open from 10 a m. to 5 p. m., and may have pre scription clerks on duty for emergency. . Creameries may maintain their refrigeration plants as usual, but tKfirtr niicin hmirjt from 8 lilUJl vwfv..v a. m. to 2 p. m. in their manufactur ing operations. - hile calesrooms and reoair shops may be open from 8 a. m, to 2 p. m. ' Applies, to Garages. Automobile garages and public eoriMr ctatinna ft Si m. tO 2 D. m.. uMth th ntinn that nuhlic serv ice garages may attend to emer gency cases outsioe oi xnose nours if a temperature of 40 degrees above zeroj or less is maintained. Business schools and all colleges to be closed without exception. Barber shops, 10' a. m. to 5 p. m. Mayor Smith, Police Commis sioner Ringer, Chief of Police Eber stein, and the mayor of Council Bluffs, agreed to co-operate in the enforcement of the regulations as announced by the committee. ' "The city police and detective de- mi. 1 S I ime- Conserving v uiiri c Air ? To comply with the fuel administrator's J demand for shorter hours, and also to enable us C 3 .d to reduce our stock of Coats, Suits, Dresses, J '"Skirts arid Blouses to normal size by Ja we have inaugurated for December this Time-Conserving Hour Sale 5 Here's our plan : . ; : t ' y Everything at 65c on the Dollar 5 ? "'Each Day for Its Alloted Hour J r Time schedule foiuthis week as follows: i 4 10 A. M. to 11 A. M. ... . .SUITS 11 A. M. to 12 M ...... . DRESSES 12 M. to 1 P. M . . . . ...... COATS 1 P. M. to 2 P. M... . .BLOUSES 2 P. M. to 3 P. M. . . .... .SUITS 3 P. M. to 4P. M. . . . . . .SKIRTS 4 P. M. to 5 P. M . . . PETTICOATS This schedule will be posted and no devia tion made from allotted hour. BE PROMPT and you'll conserve dollars while we conserve, time. 2d Floor Securities Bldf . omul 16th and Farnam. partments will be on the lookout for violators and all cases win oe re ported to tfi federal authorities," Maer Smith announced. The mayor endeavored in vain to obtain permission to havs the pub lic library made an exception to the closing order. The 'head of the Union Pacific special police was directed to check up and to report all cases of viola tions of the closing orders and of the prescribed hours for opening and closing. Merchants Hard Hit. The wholesale merchants state that they are hit hard; but are doing the best they can. A. B. Warren, secretary of McCord, Brady & Co., stated that his company has started on the 8 a. m. to 2 p. m. regulations and will observe a half-hour lunch period. The company is serving coffee to employes.' "We will concentrate our efforts," Mr. Warren said, "but it wilt be difficult for us to keep up with our orders." Buy Oil Burners. Mr. Leussler, before the city coun cil yesterday, said: "Our superintendent of power went to Kansas City and purchased eight oil burners which will equip two of our boilers and will supply enough steam to take care of the system during the nonrush hours of the day. We will save one-third of our coal by this means providing we can obtain sufficient oil." City hall offices were closed yes terday at 3:30, in accordance with the general closing order. Employes were allowed half an hour for lunch. Mayor Smith was at his office at 8:30 yesterday morning and attended to some business with his overcoat buttoned tightly. The early morning temperature of the City hall was 40 degrees above zero. J. H. Bev eridge, superintendent of schools, also appeared in his overcoat and earmuffs and answered many early morning telephone calls from teach ers and pupils who wanted to know "for sure" whether schools were all closed. il School Boilers Drained. - The boilers in all schools have been drained. The Union Pacific coal committee advised all towns along its lines to organize local coal distribution com mittees under official authority. The American Legion applied to the coal committee for permission to hold a meeting in the Auditorium Tuesday evening, using no heat for the occasion. Hospital Supply Low. The hospitals are running on small margins of coal and are being given preferred attention on account of the nature of their occupancy. The Methodist hospital has a two days' supply and an application in for 50 tons. St. Joseph hospital has a supply for one week. The Swedish Mission hospital has" enough for nearly four weeks. Sev eral are running from day to day. Brandeis Theater Closed. In accordance with the order of the fuel administrator, and pending positive information to the contrary from Washington, the Brandeis the ater remained closed last night. A further order of the administra tor 6aid that there can be no display or window lighting in any of the stores. All unnecessary lighting must be turned off. Theater Closing Order Taken Up at Washington Washington ' Dec 1. (Special TelegramsCongressman Jefferis busied himself Monday in an effort to get the order issued by the fnel administration in Omaha closing the city theaters on account of the shortage in coal rescinded, or modi fied,, to allow the Omaha theaters to use kerosene for heat and light.' Omaha theater managers wired Mr. Jefferis that all theaters had been ordered closed beginning December 1 in order to conserve coal. The Brandeis management stated that offers had been made the lofal fuel administrator to run the theater without coal, steam or electric light, using kerosene for heat and light, but that the local board had arbi trarily refused this permission. Mr. Jefferis had a conference with Henry, B. Spencer, chairman of the central coal committee, with head quarters here, who stated that he was in total ignorance of the rea sons prompting the Omaha order and immediately requested the coal committee in Chicago to take up the matter with the coal uel admin istrator and see if something could not be done to avoid the threatened losses to the Brandeis and other theaters affected. The Omaha congressman was told tnat a possible reason for the refusal to use kerosene might be due to a desire to conserve petrol eum as an industrial fuel in the event that the coal strike is pro longed indefinitely. Lincoln Theaters Allowed Open Four Hours in Evening Lincoln, Dec. 1. (Special.) More drastice orders have been is sued by the committee having in charge the conservation of coal in Lincoln. Theaters cannot open their shows until 7 in the evening and must close at 11. Churches will be closed except that all churches must hold joint services in different sections of the town. The Lincoln schools were closed Monday morning. The state uni versity has fuel enough to last until the holidays and the committee thought it might be well to allow the university to run until that time. Pool hall proprietors are willing to close all the forenoon, but think they ought to be allowed to be open in the afternoon and evening. This matter will be settled Tuesday. Zero Weather Intensifies , Coal Shortage in Iowa Des Moines, la.,. De 1. (Spe cial.) Severe winter weather, with zero weather predicted is intensify ing the coal shortage in this state. All the resources of the fuel admin istrators are being taxed to prevent suffering.' Restrictive measures in the use of all coal is being followed everywhere. Although all mine op erators have posted notices of. the 14 per cent wage' increase, not a sin gle instance of men returning to work was reported up to noon to day. ' Before the war Belgium was the UirA ,ini emftinfv jmntrv in the world, producing about 200,000 tons ! ot unmanufactured zinc per year, of j which 75 per cent was exported. To Heal m Cough Ik HATES' HJuAIXNU UOKKX. 35c per bottle. FUEL RESTRICTION PUT INTO EFFECT BY GOVERNMENT More Stringent Even Than Those Applied During the War Due to Diminish ing Coal Stocks. Washington. Dec. 1. Wartime re strictions on the nation's use of coal, more stringent ven than those ap plied during the war, was ordered into effect to stave off a fuel famine. Moved by reports of diminishing coal stocks and growing danger of distress in numerous sections, the government sought no compromise with striking mine workers whose walkout forced the emergency, but asked for national determination to endure privation and discomfort until coal mining was resumea on its terms. Fuel Administrator Garfield, act ing in conjunction with tbe railroad administration, gave notice that hereafter only the essential consum ers included in the first five classes of the war priority list would be supplied with coal, and asked the help of all state and municipal au thorities to make rationing effective. ' Local Men Upheld. The order which made national those restrictions already put into local effect by regional coal commit tees where the pinch of fuel short age has been felt, cuts off supplies from all but transportation agencies, which includes inland and coastwise shipping as well as railroads, federal and local government institutions and establishments,1 including con cerns working on government con tracts; public utilities, including newspapers and retail dealers. Rail road administration officials conced ed that it meant widespread cessa tion of industrial operations, only justified by the gravity of the situa tion. "It is necessary that coal shall he used only for essential purposes," Dr. Garfield said in giving public notification of the V step. "Pubjic utilities consuming coal should dis continue to furnish power, heat and light to nonessential industries and should consume only sufficient coal to produce enough light, power and heat to meet the actual urgent needs of the people. Advertising signs and displays of various kinds neces sitating the use of coal should be curtailed and no coal should be dis tributed for such purposes." Local Arrangements Vary. Officials said that the terms of the order as given were framed to allow the greatest possible variation ifl local arrangements so that emergen cies could be met by actionbest suited to that result. Industrial es tablishments operating their own power plants will be forced to shut down when present supplies are ex hausted, while the operation of those whose power is supplied from pub lic utility, plants will be curtailed or continued in the discretion of local agencie and officials. Dr. . Garfield noted further that the "government would be glad to leave supervision and control of distribution by retail dealers entirely to any state, county or municipality which may make provision therefore." - 5 Federal Power Final. These arrangements, it was sug gested, would all be maintained while they proved adequate, but th federal government would hold a final power to intervene by cutting off coal supplies where rationing measures are not being airly or fully taken. Officials were, hopeful that the ad--vance of 14 per cent in mine work ers' wages would result in getting some of the men back to work, espe cially in view of the fact that coal operators generally were backing up the offer. Members of a mine operators committee were in Washington watchin.i the situation and preparing for a general session Wednesday when details of application of the 14 per cent increase will be arranged, but had no reports of work resump tion. U. S. Soon Independent of Former Enemies in Dyestuffs Washington, Dec. 1. Indications that the United Stages soon will be independent not only of its former enemies, Germany and Austria, but of all other of 4he general countries, in the matter of dyestuffs, synthetic medicinals, optical and window glass and other commodities was given in the annual report of the tariff committee. American manufacturers now have a large output of these goods, all of whic(i were .imported before the war, and most of the domestic trade is being satisfied through home production. Packing House Men Get Raise in Wages (Continued From Fas One.) ers were denied by Judge Alschuler. Among them were: Denied a basic, eight-hour day for private policemen and watchmen. Denied demand of Kansas City teamsters and chauffeurs for a basic eight-hour day. Denied demand to abolish, piece work in the car shops. The men won their demand for the maximum rate of pay where hog killing and cutting gangs are com bined for periods where there is not sufficient work to keep both gangs engaged as separate units. Referee Gives Opinion. In commenting on the demands of the men, Judge Alschuler said: "While I believe that conditions are such that the employes gener ally, and some of them more partic ularly, are entitled to some further consideration, it seems to me that the demands as presented are in the main so excessive that an arbitrator would not be justified in granting them. ' "The great difficulty experienced even under most favorable circum stances in passing upon wages and working conditions is much multi plied under existing public condi tions, where extremes are so much the rule.' Extremes in public views and on economic questions, ex tremes in profits and prices, ex tremes in wealth and in the want of it, extremes in wages and working conditions in some instances the so-called 'economic power' of labor succeeding under seeming impend ing penalty of great public prevation in enforcing wages and conditions apparently beyond reason and in other instances the so-called 'eco nomic oower' of capital succeeding in imposing or retaining working conditions unaer wnicn woric snouiu not be required to be done, and wages inadequate in these times for even their subsistence. With what great benefit to themselves and to all might those twin giants, capital and labor, make practical applica tion of the aptly expressed Shakes pearian truth: " 'It is excellent to have a giant's strength, but it is tyrannous to use it like a giant" Local Firms Will Obey Order of Chicago Judge That the orders of United States District Judge Alschuler of Chica go, directing a 10 per cent increase in wages of unskilled labor em ployed at packing houses through out the country, will be carried out to the letter, by the local manage ment of the Swift Packing company, was the announcement made Mon day by O. D. Maberry, superintend ent of the South Omaha plant. V "Although we have received no notice of the order of Judge Al schuler," said Mr. Maberry, "we will without doubt do all in our power to carry out the mandate of the court, it will take some time to check up those that come under th head of unskilled labor and we will have to wait for the details of the order, before we will be able to make a definite statement. R. C. Howe, general manager of the Armour company plant, said the official notice of Judge Alschuler's order had not 1 -n received by him, but that he had been notified a de cision was expected Monday. Mr. Howe said steps would be made to carry out the details of the order as soon as it was received. According to Jake Davis, business agent of Laborers' Union 602, to which 75 per cent of the unskilled labor emploved at local packing plants, is affiliated, the increase will affect about 60 per cent of the em ployes of the packing houses, or ap proximately 6,000 persons, who will each receive an increase of a little over $2 a week, which will mean a weekly increase of over $12,000 in the weekly payroll of packing house employes. Employes now getting an aver age of $23 a week will draw a little over $25 a week for 48 hours work everv week. Among those rated as unskilled laborers are a great many women employed in pickling and dry salt departments. Men em ployed in the loading and unload ing of cars, employes of the cooling department and yard men are among those that will he affected. Union officials say they expect the court order to be retroactive, and that employes will draw pay at the increased rate from the time the suit was started for a raise several months ago ' Governor Frazter of North Da kota has issued a proclamation de claring his intention of taking over the North Dakota lignite mines and operating them in behalf of the state if the operators do not get to gether with their men. Only One "BROMO QUININE." . To tret the genuine, eall for full nme LAXATIVE BROMO QUININE. Tebleti. Look for lnature of E. W. GROVE. Cure n Cold in One Day. 0o. With theaters, lodges and 'all public amusement places closed - People Must Stay at Home So make your home bright and cheery GOOD MUSIC is the SOLUTION Many fine Pianola Pianos and Vocalion Phonographs on sale at Oakford's. ' If you already have an instrument come in and buy a few i i ait a i 1 a ; eiAAU1 new rons or recoras. ah me laie ones rp m uut 1807 Farnam Omaha, Nebraska fAKFQRD OFFICERS TELL OF SEEING MAN POURGASOLINE Two Policemen Positively Identify Louis Weaver Confessions Introduced In Court. "That man right there jumped up on the sill of the. north window of the county treasurer's office with a five-galfon can of gasoline and threw the gasoline into the office where the fire was already set," declared Policeman Joseph Zich yesterday, pointing at Louis L. Weaver, who is being tried on the charge of arson in burning the court house the night of September 28. The trial is going on before a jury in District Judge Sears' court. Weaver lives at 1357 South Seven teenth street and worked at the Rome hotel as a cook before his ar rest. Boy of 14 Led Way. "A boy of 14 years old poured gasoline on the sill of the window before Weaver got there," continued Zich. "The window was burned and fell in. Then Weaver, wearing a sweater and without any hat, climbed upon the sill and others handed the can of gasoline up to him and he poured it on. The crowd cheered hint and he said something." An alleged confession, signed by Weaver, was introduced by County Attorney Shotwell. who is orosecut- ing the case. This was made by Weaver right after his arrest, Oct. 4, witnesses testified, in the office of Chief of Detectives Dunn. In it he states that he threw half a can of gasoline on the fire, but that it flared back on him and burned him. Piloted Mayor Smith. Harry Lighthall, a special officer for the Nebraska Power company, who was inside the court house the night of the fire, told of pilot ing .Mayor Smith, Police Commis sioner Ringer and Chief of Police Eberstein around the interior of the court house with his flash light, the night of the riot. He said he saw Weaver and was present at the po lice station when Weaver made his alleged confession. He dictated the statement to De tective Toland, who wrote it on the typewriter," said Lighthall, "I rolled a cigaret for Weaver while he was dictating. Finally he signed it' and said, 'There, that's done.' His face was a mass of bruises." N Detective Paul Sutton told of ar resting Weaver at his home. "His face was all bandaged up and his hands and arms we it bandaged clear up to the elbows," he said, t The alleged confession says that Weaver was taken to the office of County Physician Van Camp, who treated him for the burns , of the gasoline, "and he promised not. to tell that I got burned at the court house," says the confession. Description of the i Yeggmen Only Qew (Continued From Pace On) have been notified to watch all in coming trains from Omaha for the three yeggmen. ' Detectives working on the case say the robbery was committed by "outside talent." In the evidence that the yeggmen used successful tactics in drilling the holes about the combination of the safes and in serting copper detonating caps filled with nitro-glycerine, gun cotton and soap, police lay the robbery to pro fessional . crooks frequenting the country at large. From descriptions of the men as given by Henry Feaber and Henry Leaders, night watchmen at Hay den Bros., police believe the yegg men are the same men who three months ago held up and robbed the Citizens State bank at Ralston of $3,000. Not a clue as' to the iden tity of the robbers was left by them. Steel Bit Found. Watchman Quits His Job. Henry Feabers, watchman at the Hayden Brothers store, resigned yes terday. "After what happened Satur day night I am not going to stick around that place," he said. The lure of a $17.50 a week job no longer appeals to him after being bound and gagged for 13 hours while THE Hartmann Panama Wardrobe trunk ai$75.00 5 hp U th biggest value in a wardrobe trunk that you can buy. . Has lift top, padded in side, locking device for drawers, shoe box easy to get at, laundry bag and hat bos. Freling & Steinle BAGGAGE BUILDERS 1803 Farnam St. burglars looted the safe in the store of $65,000, Feabers is hoping that the yeggs remember to send him the $200 they promised the two watchmen for a Chirstmas present when they Icfi ' the store after tucking a $20 bill is -the pockets of the rope-bound men .' Bee Want Ads produce result J , THONPSON-BELDEN & COMPANY flew Store Hours 10 a. m. to 5 p. m. . The shorter hours are necessitated by ' the nation-wide coal shortage. They will remain in force until further notice. December is the busiest month of the year and now, with fewer work ing hours, service will be greatly im paired unless the morning hours are utilized by our patrons. . We request that you $hop early in the , day in order to make the present situation of as little inconvenience as possible. Imp THOMPSON - BELDEN .? COMPANY Tin Men' Is in Christmas Reudiness Splendid selections have been prepared. The best we have ever offered. You can depend upon these men's things "for style, quality and' good taste. SHIRTS AND HANDKERCHIEFS ARE OF INTEREST The shirts, because of their unfailing attractiveness and desirability. We recommend them without hesitation, knowing, as we do, that for patterns, weaves and colors, cut and workmanship, they are right. The prices range from $1.50 to $15. NO HANDKERCHIEFS LIKE IRISH LINEN Being imported, they are not subject lo "last m i n U t e" duplication. This, applies particular ly to the initialed styles'. At present we have all letters in every style, both white and colored. Later on the . story will be different. THOMPSON - BELDEN & COMPANY Neckwear That Should Interest Holiday Shoppers You'll want to keep them your self these collars and vestees they're altogether ' delightful. Fresh, original bits of lace and ruffling in the form of neckfix ings for suits and dresses. Organdy collar and cuff sets distinguished by pleated ruffles, bordered by hand embroidered polka dots and a number of other originalities. Separate collars of pique, net, Georgette or real laces. Charming vestees, with either high oi low col lars quite a few have ruffling to match, which comes by the yard and maytbe used for cuffs. and From the Same Department Handkerchiefs Of a quality and daintiness that is all one could desire. Fine linens, real laces, and exquisite hand embroideries make ' them quite the nicest gifts obtainable. Priced all the way from 10c to $15 each Main Floor North Aid Phone Douglas 2793. W31ipisVbr0fflci OMAHA PRINTING COMPANY UMItT MIL J W SSSSi fARNAN Commercial Printers-Lithographers - steel die Ensossers IQOSC kCAr OCVICES
