STRANGE CURFEW

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26077, 14 February 1946, Page 5

STRANGE CURFEW

NEW YORK STUNNED MAYORAL BAN LIFTED (Rec. 10.10 p.m.) NEW YORK. Feb. 13. The Mayor (Mr William O’Dwyer) to-night lifted the restrictions which virtually shut down the city for 18 hours. Schools will remain closed. The Associated Press says that New York on this Lincoln's birthday was a silent bewildered city. War-time restrictions at their worst did not impose such austerities as Mr O’Dwyer’s fuel saving proclamation, which closed all places except those vitally concerned with public safety and health. Taverns, picture houses, theatres and other amusement places were all closed, and to-day many thousands of clerks and office workers congregated outside closed buildings, department stores and other shops, seemingly bewildered and stunned by the mayor’s unprecedented order. Wall street, ordinarily teeming with people, was as quiet as Trinity churchyard. The health commissioner (Dr Stebbins) in a broadcast, said • 2,600,000 gallons of fuel oil were delivered to New York during the day, while the

office of Defence Transportation had assured the city of 16 additional tugs to-morrow. He said the emergency was brought about by the fact that last night there was under one-quarter of the city's daily fuel oil needs. The emergency was now somewhat relieved, but rationing would remain in effect. Employing the same abrupt technique to end the state of emergency as he used to announce it, Mr O’Brien broadcast the news to bewildered New Yorkers this evening, ending one of the most confused and most chaotic days in the city’s history. The New York Daily News says the improvement in the fuel oil supplies was apparently responsible for the sudden termination of the emergency, but an equally significant factor was the clamour of the city’s business interests. Representatives of financial business and the entertainment industries besieged the City Hall, and police headquarters throughout the day. The city is quickly returning to normal to-night, and most businesses are expected to open as usual to-morrow morning. What the New York Times calls the most drastic disruption of the city’s life since the civil war draft riots of 1863, resulted in staggering economic losses. The amusement industry, including night clubs, estimated their loss at 1 000,000 dollars during the 18 idle hours, while departmental store owners claimed losses totalling 3,000,000 dollars. Many businesses are considering taking legal action against the city to recover damages. Meanwhile the strike continues, although the prospects of a settlement seem brighter. Mr James McAllister, spokesman for the employers, to-night announced his willingness to resume negotiations with the union.