Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-12-05
THE FREIGHT BLOCKADE.
The Lumber Exchange Committee Ask
an Immediate Resumption of Traffic.

Att meeting of the lumber dealers sew
eral days ago in relation to the freight
blockade, as heretofore published in
The STAR, a committee was appointed
to draft letter to the president of
the Pennsylvania railroad company rela-
tive to the subject at ISSUE In pursu-
ance of their instructions the committee
has sent letter to President Roberts saying:
"Presuming that the present extraordinary
condition of the freight traffic at this point is
not unknown to you the undersigned, a COM
mttee appointed at a special meeting of the
Washington lumber exchange, beg to request
without further presentation or recapitulation
of the facts, that the embargo against the re-
ception of bulk freight for this point be raised.
The situation is so critical that immediate ac-
ton on your part is necessary. Contracts
are being delayed, business Is impeded to a
very great extent and the general condition of
the lumber industry is injuriousy affected.
Innumerable cars of lumber. long overdue, are
held back not only to the detriment of trade.
but actual damage to the lumber in transit
The railroad line connecting with the Balti-
more and Potomac refuse to receive shipments
for Washington, and altogether the lumber
trade is positively paralyzed. Something must
be done ut once to relieve this stagnation. Ia
an interview with Mr. H. H. Carter some
of certain persons to the policy of the
Baltimore and Potomac in acquiring and
using certain property for storing cars had in
duced the company to defer any purchases of
land for that purpose until legislation by Con-
gress should determine the question. If YOU
will state the wishes or requirements of the
railroad company in this direction we will do
all in our power to encourage the needed legis-
lation. In the meantime we think the inter-
ests of the patrons of the road demand that
suitable premises be leased or rented temper
arily in order to relieve the present pressure.
The committee thinks that it can indicate GER
tain premises that could be rented and used for
this purpose.
We have frequently conferred with the local
operating staff Of the Baltimore and Potomac
railroad. but without result, as it seems not to
be in their power or permission to remedy the
evil. BY the liberal policy pursued in the past
by the railroad companies in the matter of rates
and accommodating treatment the water routes
of transportation for lumber to this port have
been gradually falling more and more into dis
use, until now we are brought face to face with
the fact that they are no longer adequate 10
supply the deficiency al moments warning
when the railroad routes are peremptoriI1
closed
We respectfully but earnestly reouest that
You will order resumption of traffic to this point
within twenty-four hours. and see 10 il that
the utmost 10 done with facilities now ayailable'
and that trackage room sufficient for the ac,
commodation Of the business be acquired nd
put in condition Immediately"
The letter Is signed by W. A. wimsatt, Tboe.
w. Smith, II. L. Biscoe and Samuel Ross. COM
mittee Washington Lumber Exchange.