Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1916-03-07
Interstate Commerce Com
mission Interested in
Congestion.
NEW YORK IS CENTER
Desire TO Obtain Large Coal
Supplies is Principally
10 Blame.

WASulNGTON March G.--Eoason'
for the freight congestion which has
tied up eastern trunk line railroads
despite their restrictions ON export
traffic ana some of the remedies
which may bc used to correct this
condition. were discussed today before
the interstate commerce commission
by representatives of the interested
carriers. shippers and receivers OF
freight
Although tho discussion dealt al
most exclusively with conditions AZ
New York. 1t was pointed out that
Boston. Philadelphia. Baltimore ana
other seaports probably would bo al
foctod 10y any change made in the
rules and regulations OF carriers.
The hearing or conference viii con-
tinue tomorrow. The railroad repre-
sentativcs offered a resolution for the
consideration of the commission pro-
posing to cut down the free storage
time allowed on freight in terminals
anad increase the demurragc charges
in cars not unloadcd after fixed
pcriot Of free time allowed for this
purpose. The shippers and receivers
" freight opposed this plan In a res
olution. declaring II to hc their belief
that such measures would not relieve
congestion but would add burdens TO
the public.
Attributable Causes.
Many reasons were assigned for the
pling up Of freight in the scahoard
cities but there was no agreement ON
this point The large export traffic,
the desire Of the carriers and others
To obtain large supplies of coal IN
fear that there may be a coal strike
next month-and the lack of sufficient
track facilities around New York and
Of lighters in New York harhor. were
said to be contributing causes
Howard Elliott, chairman of the
board of the New York. New Haven
y Hartford railroad. expressed the
opinion that the great Increase IN
buying throughout the territory of the
New Haven railroad, the demand FOR
raw material and foodStuifs there,
and the desire of the road itself 90
get plenty of coal had much Ia do
with situation on It's lines which he
said had almost reached the point of
strangulation.
Il. II. Large coal agent Of the
Pennsylvania railroad, declared at
Perth Amboy. n. j.. the Pennsylvania
system now had constantly on hand
from five thousand To seven thousand
cius of coal when the normal number
there was only 1900.
Cars Loaded with Coal.
A. T.. Mack of the United states
Steel Products company blamed the
carriers themselves for the conditions
at New York. lie said they needed
better track facilities. more lighters
and an improved system. Some of the
cars Of steel shipped from Pittsburgh
last October. he asserted had not yet
reached tidewater AT New York.
Mr.. Mack said in his opinion the
only way to correct existing conditions
was To shut off all source of supply
for New York in export shipments
This should be DONE he said. "until
the railroads can clean up"
Answering suggestions that the lack
o. ships was responsible for the con
gestion Mr. Mack produced figures
from the New York customs house
showing that 4,2S5 vessels cleared
from New York in 1914 and 4.967 in
1918 He said his company had re-
co,Ved thousands OF complaints from
foreign buyers and that those who
complained. driven TO American mar
kcts now 10y war conditions. would