Washington, D.C., 5:40 P.M., Dec. 11, 1919

Hon. T. W. Bickett,
Raleigh, N.C.

Wire received have conferred with central fuel committee and that committee has ruled that merchants everywhere can open before nine AM and remain open after four PM if no heat light or power produced from coal or coke consumed during additional hours kept open. Fuel administration here having coal situation in charge has interpreted this ruling to permit our merchants bank their fires two o'clock and remain open six o'clock PM provided no coal or coke is used producing light for extra hours.

Lee S. Overman 6:25 PM