A REAL ECONOMY

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16213, 16 May 1918, Page 2

A REAL ECONOMY

THE 10.30 "CURFEW."

SAYING COAL, LIGHT. AND. LABOUR.

(FROM OCC OWK COBBESPOJi'DEKT.)

LONDON, March 21

At the outset general concern was created in theatrical and restaurant circles by the announcement that Mr G. Calturop, tho Coal Controller, was considering tne issue of an order requiring theatres and all otner places of c-jn-ervuiniuent, as well as noiejs, restaurants, and clubs, to close at D.«jO p.m. troin April Ist next. 'lhe -National Loinnutvee, representing tiio -Xditertainuiuais luuusuy, met vo oonMuer tue situation, anu appoint a deputation to wait upon tue coal-Con-troller. oimunaueousiy a meeting lor a like purpose was neld by tuo council of tuo aotels anu Kestuurants Association. Eveutuany iU.oO p.m. was decided on—lor, wim summer iimo in force, tnat will in reality be-y.bO. Tno main reason tor the cnauge is tlie necessity or coal saving lor uoxt winter's demands. It is suggested that tne various ways in wnicn Ijouqou may help arc tho limitation of lignting expeuditure in theatres, restaurants, and ciubs alter 10.30, and, induect.y, in the saving of fuel in night train services, which would be atne to case otf a couple of hours oarlior than at present. The less coal used in London means a reduction of the railway tonnage required to bring it from the North and Midlands to the metropolis. In the Houso of Commons Sir Albert Stanley said: —It is proposed, as regards Great Britain, that no light shall bo used for the purpose of illuminating shop windows, and that no food shall be cookod or any hot meals served in any hotel, club, or rostaurant, botween 9.30 at night and five o'clock the following morning. It is also proposed that no performance in any theatres, music-halls, cinematograph, or other public place of amusement shall be conducted after 10.30 at night-, or be re-opened before ono o'clock the next day, and that all lights must be out between those hours with tho exception of those actually required for the use of employees. FEWER TRAINS. Fewer trains are to run, and tho speed of many of tho expresses wil( bo considerably reduced, chiefly on account of the need of saving coal. London was in the past very largely supplied with sea-borne coal, which was carried to the great gasworks, electricity supply works, and so forth by steamer first, and then canal. The ships formerly used for this coal are now required for other tonnage. It is difficult to get Jand-borne coal to the works that require it, as tho labour is uofc fully available. To make it easier, the railways have to bo cleared to a greater extent for coal transport. • This need is specially felt outside the coal-producing areas, and tho public are, therefore, faced witli the diminution of railway facilities on this account. But the speed of trains has to be reduced also, on grounds of public safoty, for a good many repairs to tho lines which would, in normal Circumstances be made, have had to be waived, and there are not so many locomotives as formerly, as a number have been shipped abroad. ■Tho amount of coal _ which "these steamers had been carrying was roundly 3.000,000 tons a year, and it would not be possible for the railways to carry more than half of that amount. Therefore means had to be found of bringing down the consumption of coal, particularly in the southern parts. More than a. year ago an attempt was made by adding 50 per cent.'to ordinary railway fares to reduce the number of passengers. For a time was a falling off. but rot, the P*-«<ndnnt of tv. e Board of Trade rogretfnllv says, to the extent anticipated, and the traffic has gradually come back. IN THE NATIONAL INTEREST. Tho public will, no doubt, wuimgly fall in with tho wishes ot tne Uovexiimoiit, and it will not be long beiore it accustoms itself to ear.ier hours. Theatres will- begin early and finish early, and the 10.31) ciutrug wilt put an ond to the unnecessary iiuuit of vneatre suppers, which aro responsible for the consumption of a great deal of heat in tho cooKing, and of much light, to say nothing of the food. Everyone will arrive xiome a couple of hours earlier than .at present, and will thus release from work tho myriads of bus and tram and train drivers and conductors.

As spokesman for hotels and restaurants, Mr J. Joseph (J. Lyons and Co.), said: —"if it is to"the national intorost that we. close earlier, then all the hotel and restaurant proprietors are' of opinion that we should make the sacrifice • and • close, though undoubtedly it will be 'a great "sacrifice. From what wo have been told, 1 should say that it is in the- national interest that we should close some time earlier, and that all economy should be practised in the use of gas and electric light and coal. . It is nqt a matter of compromise; it is entirely a question of the national interest." •

Somo theatrical ' managers wore rather concerned at the-suggestion , of tho early closing, but-the majority aro ready to comply. Mr Gerald du Maurier sa?t!: —"I am one of those who always bow. to authority. If those who -are in- authority think it is right to do this-in the national interest, it would be impertinent for me to express an opinion on it." Mr J. E.- Vodrenne confidently - bolieves that the managers can trust the Government to realiso that theatres, music-halls, and cinemas are necessary to the welfare, physical and merltal, oi the nation, and not. to ' ruin, consequently,- "by any precipitate step, tho only meaDs of amusement left to tho people in these terrible times. Mr "Oscar. Asche. is quite in agreement with the proposal, remarking:-— "I don't think it will make much difference to the business of .the theatres if the licenses "to" restaurants and hotels are altered accordingly—that is to say, if a man >wKo leaves his business at five o'clock is enabled to get his dinner at 5.30, and have wjne or whisky with it, instead of having to wait till 6.30. I think people will foel much more secure.if they can leave the theatre in daylight. Of course it won't affect the coal-question-in-the least, as the theatres will only ,light un "the stage and a'wliforium earlier; but I certainly think it will be a good thing to lot people leave the theatre before the dancer time.begins." ... . Mr Oswald Stoll (Alhambra and Coliseum) said: —"Those, managers who regard the question from the narrow view of thoir own particular theatre disregard the wider view of the general industry or profession as an important national service. Fortunately the Government, through an important representative, in common with the vast majority of those concernod, take the wider view."

Mr Dion Boucicault: —"I do not think the offcct will be in any -way detrimental to the theatres; in fact, it may possibly be of very great value. I think the public will be glad to got home earlier, but apart from that all wo managers should in every way gladly acquiesce, and not press our own views under the present circumstances." ' Lord Sydenham is of opinion that the early closing is a very wise step. Jn certain ways it will save coal and lighting, and probably save food as well, for the people wilj go earlier to bed,' and will not want to be fed at II p.m. In every way it will be a good thing. An official of the Gas Light and Coke Company declared that some reduction in the amount of gas consumed i»

urgently necessary, adding:— When the curfew scheme was proposed we stated in our opinion it would be the means of effecting some economy By inducing earlier habits among the people; but, apparently, more is required, and some rationing system is, thereforo, very probable. As to how it is to be carried out is not yet settled." It was also proposed to ration all tho larger power stations from which power is supplied for tramway and cleetric railway undertakings. It will be nccessarv that all the tramways and electric railway services in this area, including the Underground in London, shall be quite considerably restricted. It is also proposed to extend to the greater part of England the scheme ot' rationing for household coal now in operation in London, and tho ration allowed will be a considerably reduced one as compared with that now allowed in London. Steps are being taken to rcduce coal consumption in Ireland, but the scheme is not yet completed.