The Washington times., 1916-08-30
Southern Warns Shippers Of
Possible Tie-up Within
Twenty-four Hours.
DEPENDS on STRIKE ISSUE
PerishabIe Fruits and vege-
tables First Affected Unless
Crisis Clears.

Washington today faces the cutting
off of large portion Of its food supply.
This situation Is brought about by the
imminent possibility of embargoes on
perishable freight by railroads entering
Washington.
One railroad. the Southern. already
has sent its representatives warning
that unless the strike issue clears an
embargo within twenty-four hours Is
possible. :,
This telegram. dated August %. and
sent last night to the freight repre-
setatives Of the southren. follows:
men has been issued calling for general
cessation of transportation throughout
the United States beginning z a. m.
Monday September fourth. Unless fay
that embargo on all classes Of freight
will be issued within twenty-four hours.
Extend this advice orally to this effect
to shippers in your respective territory.
l.. Green"
This telegram was sent from the office
Of Lincoln Green. freight traffic man
ager, in Washington.
Perishable Goods Blocked First.
At the freight offices of the Southern
1t was admitted that partial embargo.
to apply only to foodstuffs Of perish
able sort, and live stock. would first be
"Undoubtedly II a strike is apparently
certain an official OF the southern
said. 1.-THE work Of clearing the tracks
of freight, especially of the perishable
sort. would begin several days In ad-
vance"
Though the twenty-four hour period
mentioned In the Southern's notice ex-
pires today, no further action was taken
this morning. and today's developments.
It was said. will determine whether the
embargo will be put on later In the day.
At the freight offices Of the Pennsyi-
vania Railroad In Washington 1t was
said no advices had yet been received
regarding a possible embargo. All
freight is being received as usual for
shipment today.
The orders for an embarso on the
Pennsylvania would emanate from
Placing an embargo on perishable
freight on the Southern would cut OF
a portion Of the milk supply Of Wash
sstcn also E"rds ES%d cut snS on tss snShs
ern States. large consignments Of WHICH
are handled by the Southern.
b. & O. Has No Orders.
d. M. Fisher. freight agent Of the
Baltimore and Ohio. this morning
said no orders to make ready or an
embargo had yet been received in
Il hear a number of Western roads
are placing such an embargo, ne
said. "but SO far we are going serene
The placing Of an embargo on the
Western roads may affect Washing: !:
ton vitality. Most OF the flour used
here is from the Northwest brought %
California fruit shipments. oranges
fected by possible embargoes.
The Baltimore and Ohio. 1t is esti.
mated. brings, a major proportion Of
the coal used here to Washington:
does not bring much OF the fresh
vegetables or fresh fruits used here;
Much Of the produce coming here is
from the wholesale markets In New
York and Philsdelphia, and co comes also
sylvania brings in the most OF these
supplies.
Milk Affected.
washington's supply OF milk would
be affected in case Of a strike. as might
be supposed.
Though only 2 per cent of the milk
used here is produced In the District
more than rs per cent Is brought In by
steam railroads. These facts were
Esarsd at the Health Department m,t
WnICn mas TtCOTu u dii thc uuh
farms sending milk here.
The meat supply of Washington. ir
case of a strike. would be almost en-
tirely cut off. Practically all the
meat used here comes in by rail.
An embargo on perishable ship
monts, such as Is contemplated in ad
vance OF a strike, would cut off from
rs to IS per cent of the produce ir
washington markets, according to va
rious estimates OF commission men.
The amount Of vegetables brough
here from nearby truck farms is neg
ligible. Egg plants are grown arount
here. tomatoes. and few potatoes.
few beans, and a few fruits are als'
brought in by wagon.
But onions, the major supply o
peaches, lettuce and onions. and othe
staple produce are brought her
largely by railroad.
A strike at this time would leave tn
produce markets in worse shape nov
than In the spring, II was stated. be
cause berries, early spring vegetables
and small fruits are grown aroun
Washington.
watermelons are brought up the rive
by boat, and so are Dome cantaloupe
and a few onions and potatoes. But tn
great relief the municipal wharf woul