Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1917-02-23
Withdraws Nothing Stated
Regarding Seriousness Of
Transportation Situation in
Eastern States.
CAR SHORTAGE MOST
GRAVE EVER KNOWN
Efforts Are Being Made to
Move FoodstuffSi Higher
Prices Predicted by Whole
SaIerS of Chicago.

Chicago, Feb 22.--A second tele-
gram in which there were traces OF
apology for the belligerent tone of the
first one sent yesterday, was put on
the wires to the Interstate Commerce
commission by President Joseph p
Griffin of the Chicago board of trade.
1--WE recognize fully" reads today's
telegram, the respect due your hon
orable body, and if I have been en-
phatiC in my statements you will un-
derstand it is because of the desper-
ate plight in which we find ourselves
ut this time"
Mr.. Griffin explains that he now
finds that the car supply order which
he was led to believe by local RAILROAD
men emanated from Interstate Com
merce Commissioner McChord, really
came from the car service commission
of the American Railway association.
Acted on Misinformation.
In his telegram yesterday, acting on
this misconception, Mr. Griffin ac-
cused the Interstate Commerce COM
mission of utter failure in the emer-
gency, and of having done more harm
than good. He and his traffic com
mittee conferred on the question of
going into the courts, and of appealing
to congress for prompt dictatorial ac-
tion, to Straighten out matters.
With tho misunderstanding cleared
up, today's telegram was said to be a
final plea on behalr of the board of
trade, and, in a general way, on be-
half of the farmers and country grain
elevators of the Mississippi and Mis-
souri vSlleys.
Grain Trade Hampercd
Mr. Griffin reiterated that the grain
trade of this section is in desperate
way. Forty million bushels of grain
are held up in local elevators, seven
million bushels additional are in cars,
some of which should have been
shipped three months ago. He told
reporters that food product factories
in Chicago in many cases are running
only 25 per cent of capacity because
they cannot ship their products out
and that one of the biggest corn prod
ucts factories in the world may have
to close down entirely if conditions are
not remedied. He said that, although
the elevators have ceased to operate
they fear, because of the shortage of
laboring men, to lay off any hands, as
they might not be able to get them
back again. Thus, their expenses re.
main at the maximum.
Cause of Food scarcity.
1.-THE holding up of grain and grain
products is what, largely, is sending
food prices soaring in the east and en-
failing demonstrations such as that
made by women in New York City,"
Mr.. Griffin said.
Chicago representatives of eastern
railroads admitted that the situation
was the worst in the countrys history,
but declined to concur in Mr. Griffin's
prediction of yesterday that if reme-
dy is not found there will be rioting
and anarchy within thirty days. The
railroad men said that with improved
weather, preference in the shipment
of foodstuffs and other measures
adopted by the railroads, the situation
should clear up rapidly.
Meanwhile, food prices in Chicago
showed no sign of decline. Whole
salers generally predicted still higher
prices before new crops are harvested.