The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-04-06
RAILROAD SHOPS
ON c. & 0. CLOSED
Shutdown Only Temporary and
Is Due to Flood Conditions
i'll Middle West.
ABOUT 600 AFFECTED HERE
Likely That Work Will Be Re-
sumcd Within the Next Week
or Ten Days.
ABOUT 600 AFFECTED HERE

! Shops OF the Chesapea and Ohio
Railway systom closed down yester
day afternoon as direct result of flood
proXimately 600 men out OF work in
Richmond. and probably larger mum :
ber at other divisional points. Of
ficials of the company expressed the
belief that the suspension would be
only temporary, and that within a
week or ten days the Richmond plant
would be running again on full time.
T.. w. Grice. assistant to the Vice
president in charge Of operation. eX-
planned yesterday that the order was
sudden and arbitrary measure af-
fecting the entire system. and intend
ed to meet most serious situation.
The greater part of the system has
been out of commission for tho past
ten days. Where no trains are run
there are no engines to repair. 80 that
curtailment either OF force or hours
was generally expected. But with no
through freight handled in nearly two
reduced to an almost negligible
amount, vigorous measures had to be
taken to reduce expenditures.
Curtnilment Necessary.
Our lines have been out OF com
mission prac tically all over the sys-
tenn, SHlu Mt. we nave QOnS
no through business Our earnings
were falling away to almost nothing.
and 1t had become absolutely neces-
sary to take steps to meet the situa-
ton. The road cannot go on carrying
heavy expenditures with no earnings
out OF which to meet them.
"As a result an executive order was
issued this morning, closing tempora
rily all of the shops of the system. We
haven't been able as yet to calculate
just how many men Will be affected
but just as soon as the lines are open
again and we begin to do business, the
shops will resume.
although somewhat damaged and
delayed by floods. the lines in the East
have not suffered as severely as those
ir West Virginia, Ohio and Indiana.
expect the Richmond shops Will start
up again within a few days. possibly
with only partial force, and that the
force will be increased from day to day
as the work in hand and the cond-
tions justify. I expect the shops here
to be running again at 100 per cent
capacity within week. Shops In the
West may be n little longer in resum
ing, because of flood and traffic condi-
tions there.
"Of course we regret the necessity
for taking any such step. but crippled
as our earnings have been and still
are by flood conditions. thore was no
alternative. The mon appreciate the
situation. and, j think. will aid us in
getting the shops going again as soon
as possible"
Anticipates No Labor Troubles.
Mr.. Grlce said that there was no rea-
son to anticipate any labor troubles,
as there was nothing in the agreement
between the railroad and the machin-
lists and shipments unions to prevent
the closing when there was no work
10 be done or when the traffic situation
demaEded such step.
Reports to the home Offices OF the
company last night indicated that Wig
orous efforts were being. made to re-
store the wrecked portions OF the lines.
Through passenger traffic has been re-
sumed to Cincinnati. the trains going
by way of Winchester. KY, and thence
to Cincinnati over the Louisville and
Nashville lines, losing approximately
three hours.
1t is expected that the Cincinnati
division will be open early this week
Trains to Chicago arc being operated
through Louisville. and over tracks OF
other companies. the Chesapeake and
Ohio OF Indiana from Cincinnati to
Chicago being only partly open as yet
Affects 600 Men Here.
In the absence OF many OF the high
or officials OF the road. who are In
the flood district, no accurate figures
(Contlnued on Second Page)