University Asks Cutback in Room Use of Electricity

With the soft coal strike deadlocked towards the end of its first week, University authorities moved on Wednesday afternoon to act in compliance with the Civilian Production Administration order requiring sharp reductions in certain types of illumination.

Aldrich Durant '02, Business Manager of the University, issued an appeal to the resident student body asking that consumption of electricity be reduced as long as order U-14 remained in effect.

This order requires a 25 percent reduction in the use of electricity for outdoor or indoor illumination in non-residential buildings.

Only Part Affecting Students

Durant said that this was the only part of this order which would seriously affect the University and that the reduction could be "accomplished in large part by turning out lights throughout the premises when not needed rather than by actually reducing the level of illumination in reading rooms, classrooms, and laboratories."

"It is probable that the public authorities will judge the degree of compliance of the University by the reduction in its overall use of electricity," Durant stated. "As a very large amount of the lighting is in dormitory rooms, it is hoped that the student body will assist in reducing the overall use by using their lights only when necessary."

Night Work Reduced

Meanwhile, certain buildings in the University have already felt the cut in electricity. Sections of Robinson Hall--especially rooms used for landscape architecture work--have reportedly been closed down for night work.

Around the Square, most shops have been required to drastically reduce or entirely eliminate illuminated window displays during the night, and all night restaurants have had to do without elaborate lighted facades for the duration of the soft coal shortage.