Evening journal., 1916-08-04
PRESIDENT DISCUSSES
RAILROAD SITUATION
May Issue Statement Out
lining Administrations
View on Threatened
Strike
FAMINE WOULD
FOLLOW TIE UP
By ROBERT J. BENDER

WASHINGTON, Aug. 4-Indications
that the United States Government ia
rapidly formulating the course of ac- /
tion it will pursue in handling the |
threatened railroad strike were seen |
today in a series of conferences be- |
tween President Wilson and Judge |
Chambers OF the United States Board |
of Mediation and Cancellation.
The question also was discussed at |
length at the Cabinet meeting. Cham /
bers held his first conference at the |
White House with the President at 9 !
o'clock. Upon entering the confer
ence he expressed himself as optimis-
tic over a successful termination of
the pending dificulty. After talking
with the President for half-hour he
prepared a statement authorized by
the President Before he could give
It out, however, the President called
him on the phone. requesting another
conference.
At the conclusion of the second
conference It is believed likely al
statement outlining the adminisfa-
tions position on the strike situation
will be made. either at the White
House or at the United States board
Of mediation and Cancellation.
The United States would face one
of the most serious food situations in
decades If the threatened strike of
100000 railroad men should material
ize and become a protracted fight, ac-
cording to opinions collected IN
score Of the larger cities by the United
Press today. As the impending tie
up Of 250000 miles of railroad by the
army Of railroad employees, would be
the greatest OF all strikes. so would
the resultant loss and suffering be the
greatest. business men from coast 10
coast declared.
Coast cities and cities located on
navigable streams would be least ar
fected, according TO the symposium Of
opinions. But they would be hard hit
nevertheless.
Babies and children would feel the
brunt of such q strike. There would
obviously be great difficulty in sup
plying perishable foodstuffs to thick
ly-populated centers even with water
facilities.
Shortage Of milk would be the first
felt. the opinions agree.
Shortage of other foodstuffs would
come according to how perishable
they are, as we'll as TO how supplies
are held in warehouses and plants.
Some cities could get along after a
fashion on anywhere from two weeks
/ 10 two months. steps having already
! been taken by city officials and public
organizations looking toward motor
supply train that would scour outly-
! ing districts for foodstuffs.
Philadelphia is one of these. At the
city statisticians' Office there II was
stated that the authorities could
mobilize 10000 automobiles to gather
supplies from the rich farming lands
for forty miles west. south and north
OF the city. The supplies on hand
there now, officials said. would not
last amy length of time"
New York, being a clearing point fol
many other cities, could live for weeks
but until organization of motor trans
portation could be achieved, there would
he some suffering. Some of the produc
ing territory upstate could be tapped by
way Of the Hudson.
Pittsburgh, located on three rivers
might thereby be saved from a real fooC
stringency. City officials there said an
tomobile transportation undoubtedly
would figure in relieving the situation
There are large supplies in Pittsburgh
at present-sufficient TO last severa
weeks.
Boston would suffer very little, &C
cording TO Prof Cunningham, statisti
clan and railroad expert. Of Harvard
despite the fact that the -four suppl
there now is low. Boston now ha
enough butter and eggs in warehouse
to last through the winter, but mea
would he very scarce, Prof cunningham
said.
Interurban trolleys and water facili
ties would prevent extreme suffer
ing in St Louis, business men ant
officials there said.
Many pointed out that the prob
lem Of getting coal would be yer.
difficult 10 solve. In Kansas City ant
many other cities officials said Goa
shortage would mean no motiv
power for the thousand and one use
to which it is put. Many official
said gasoline shortage for automobile
etc. would prove a hardship. sine
motor vehicles would be largely dc
pended on for bringing foodstuff
3 from producing centers.