South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-02-22
Appear POWerIeSS to Find a
Observation-Disclosures of the
Country Unable to Handle
Needed Supplies.
THOUSAND LOADED CARS
NOW TIED UP IN EAST
Resolution Asking For An En-
barge is Sure to be Pre-
Sented to Congress.
Prices Still Climbing.
Internationoi News Service

international News Service.
WASHINGTON, Feb. D. - Far
more serious than the war menace
seemed the situation confronting
the United States today because of
the great shortage of food stuffs and
fuel Officials appeared powerless to
ind a remedy.
Priest Wilson had before him re-
ports of the efforts that are being
made by the interstate commerce
commission and the railroads of the
nation to end the freight blockade.
He also was endeavoring to con-
vince congressional leaders of the
urgent necessity of a large appro-
priation TO permit a real probe Of
the reasons behind the near famine
and of the allegations that one of the
real reasons was a criminal conspir-
airy i'm certain quarters. Other
branches of the government were
moving, but very. very slowly TO get
action.
Railroads DemOralized.
The railways OF the country are
demoralized. Train service is very
bad. Many reasons are assigned for
this and the experts of the interstate
commerce commission are working
TO bring order out of chaos But,
there is known TO be 29,707 loaded
freight cars tied up at the big east
ern terminals. while all yards are
congested with empties which are
piled up on remote sidings instead
Of beng started 10 the supply
points
And in this connection, officials
pointed out that large quantities Of
old equipment were retired by the
railroads during the last i months
and only a fractional part of it re-
placed. The reason was the desire
20 keep down expenses to the lowest
possible point
AS a result of the actual suffering
in nearly all OF the large cities OF
the country. demands for a food en-
barge which Will prevent the export
ing of food supplies TO Europe are
pouring in on all government depart
ments. In almost every instance it is
claimed that as a result of the heavy
exports that have been permitted
and still are going on, the visible
supply of food for the United States
is already far below the danger
mark. These figures are being in
vestgated by the experts Of the de-
partment of agriculture
VIII Demand Embargo.
Ii is believed certain that a de
mand for a food embargo Will be-
come very much in evidence in con-
gress during the next few days. Tt
is not likely, however, that any res
olution TO put it into effect viii pre-
vail
Announcement that enormous
demonstrations are being arranged
for next Saturday in a number OF
he larger cities caused worry here.
While keeping such demonstrations
under control is entirely the task Of
the local authorities. il is realized
rhat they make an appeal 10 natural
hysteria which easily could result
in widespread rioting And. women
and children who admittedly are
suffering the pangs of hunger. cam
not be manhandled either by police
or troops.
Rumors Of foreign intrigue i'm the
present crisis are being carefully in
vestigated by the special agents Of
the secret service and OF the depart
meut of justice. These iuvesti cations
, touch Philadelphia. New York. Jer-
sey City and Chicago. Their scope is
carefully guarded and an informa-
tion Is refused
Prices Keep Climbing.
One of the most serious features
OF the situation reelected here is the
constant increase Of prices now go
ing on This especially IS so in the
case OF vegetable. The poor OF the
big cities have been unable 20 afford
much meat for "a long time past. but
they have been able 20 live fairly
we'll on TIE supply OF vegetables.
Now this IS changed and il is inn
possible fo- the poor 20 get vege-
tables in anywhere near sufficient
| quantities.