Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-03-17
FOOD SUPPLY WILL LAST
FOR FULLY TWO Weeks
IL Railroad Strike Comes, Richmond
May Face Many Serious
Problems.
COAL FOR PUBLIC UTILITIES
Dabney Believes Few Of Local Train
me- Will Obey Order to Strike I'm
View of National Crisis Confront
ing Country.

II the threatened nation-wide rail-
road strike natures and continues for
an apprcciable length OF time, Rich
mond. like other cities. will be con-
frontcd with Il situation fraugnt with
many dire possibilities. The food sup
ply. including that on the roads, will
suffice for about two weeks. With
care and due p~recaution exercised to
prevent speculation and boarding the
supply. ii the unexpected
comes, may he made TO suffice for a
longer period. Merchants fail to see
how automobiles could be used to
remedy the situation i'm any degree.
Most OF the foodstuffS with which
Richmond and Eastern cities i'm gen
cr;tl are supplied come from the Mid
die West, where n paralysis OF rail
road transportation would as cffcctu-
ally st;trve-the Eastern cities as though
they were actually severed from ali
connection.
The coal supply in Richmond. il is
stated on good authority. is sufficient.
il properly doled out for Il week. \
prominent coal dealer who supplies
mos, OF the city institutions and large
business houses, said yesterday tina,
there would be no increase in price.
ana that his trade would be fully pro-
tccted. 1t is presumed that other deal
crs Will follow the same course. De-
livcries next month. however, will be
At an Increase. he cause OF which is
beyond the effect which the contem-
plated strike may have.
COAL At POWERHOUSI1
TO LAST FOR ONE WEEK
h Virginia hallway and Power
Company stated yesterday hat IL has
enough coal to last Il week. II has
coal rolling in. but some of this may
be held up If the strike goes into cf-
feet to-day. Partial operation can be
Effected with watcrpower, but +, would
be small. |coinDare with the resources
oi the company on normal occasion.
The chesapeake and Ohio. however. will
utilities.
. There is Il general belief among bus.
shess men that the strike will be
arerted. or If it comes that il, will
continue no; more than forty-cight
hours. They are counting on the
friendly relations between employee
ana operator and OH the realization by
me trainmcn Of the serious situation
they would bring about by parulyzing
INC nations arteries of travel and
-
Il believe few of the men Will go
out" said W. Il. Dabney, business man.
a2er of the Chamber OF !
yesterday. THE relationship between
operator and operative being so very
sEmpathetic. The fact that the coun-
trE Is facing such a serious crisis
VIII exercise its weight with the train
men. Because OF the crisis which com
niaids 81 spirit OF united industrial
operations. ! am unwilling 10 believe
mat more than a few. If any. Of the
operatives Will yield to the call for
Il strike"
another reason cited as basis for
The belief that the strike will not ac-
tuaily be, put into effect is tho fac,
that the trainmcn themselves would be
put to untold suffering and would 10
more be in position to prevent hunger
ana sunerinS consequent upon such a
strikc than the innocent public. 1t is
known that many trainmcn running
into %Richmo are not in sympathy
with the strike movement and would
not vote for II IL they had the OBJ
.portunity.