Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-08-30
COUNTRYWIDE RUSH
TO GET BACK HOME;
EMBARGO ON FREIGHT
Vacations Cut Short and One
Western Road Warns Pas
sengers of Strike In
convenience
NEW YORK FEELS GRIP

NEW YORK, Aug 30.-First effects oi
| the impending nationwide railroad strike
which would tie up the commerce Of the
| country. were being felt today-four days
| before the walltout OF the 100000 members
of the big four brotherhoods Is scheduled.
Probably never In the history of railroad
ing have the big lines of the country faced
such situation as Is now presented, Many
lines already have put an embargo on all
freight which cannot be delivered before
September g. Shippers and buyers are
making frantic efforts to move goods or
laying in an extraordinary supply before the
tie-up becomes effective.
Persons on vacations, or away from
home on business are cutting their trips
short. warning has been given by one
road in the Middle West that passengers
may suffer inconvenient delays IL the strike
goes into effect. and reports here today In
dlcate countrywide scramble to get back
home.
The New York, New Haven and Hart
ford Railroad was the FIRST declare an
embargo on freight In the eastern district.
The New York Central, Pennsylvania,
Lacltawanna, Erie and New York, Sus-
quehanna and Western were expected to
follow suit. The passenger departments OF
all lines today reported heavy demands
being made upon them from all points by
the thousands of summer travellers, No
attempt is made by the roads to minimize
the probable effect of strike on pas
senger traffic.
Not only are the railroads feeling the
effects of the impending strike, but banks
are also being flooded with demands from
big business houses, endeavorlng to pur-
chase supplies in practically "traln-load
lots in some instances. This means more
than trebling their usual orders in most
cases, and consequent hurried arrange
ments for financing the deals.
The embargo announced by the New
nj tla hot rio
would take similar action, created the
greatest CONSERVATION among shippers. Ow-
ing to the heavy traffic and car shortage
under normal conditions, 1t is realized that
the railroads may not be able to handle
any more freight than is now actually on
hand This would mean business houses
which failed to get in their extra orders
prior to this week will probably be caught
short.
All produce houses and other firms deal
ing in perishable goods were making frantic
efforts to get shipments now en- route de-
livcred Once the strike is in effect, the food
supply in q majority of the larger cites
of the country will probably not hold out
more than n week, unless some way Is
found of getting foodstuffs to them, 1t Is
estimated.
In the meantime eastern roads are maxi
ing preparations for the strike endeavoring
to arrange for men to operate trains, All
workers not affiliated with the brotherhoods
are called upon to stand by the companies.
The Erie has Issued a notice that employees
remaining loyal will be at the head of their
service rosters and will be regarded as
senior employees of the company. Warning
is also given that men joining the strike
leave the service of the company and lose
all rights and privileges.
Despite the orders of the four brother
hoods that all employees must avoid trespass
and interference with property in the strike,
the New Haven road has asked sheriffs and
police offic ais in towns along It's lines to
be prepared to protect the railroad property
IL necessary.