The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-04-25
Closer Cooperation With
Allies Demands That
Congestion be Solved.
USE LONGEST ROUTE
FOR RUSSIAN WORK
Take Ships Out of New
rk-Vladisvostok Ser
vice-Use Rail to
West Coast.

Washington, April 25.-Closer rela-
tionship as allies in the prosecution
OF the war against Germany, between
Great Britain and the United States
may result in different freight ar
rangements which will have a far
reaching effect in lessening western
freight congestion.
Heretofore. for some reason best
known to the Russian purchasers,
the greater part of freight shipments
destined for that country. have gone
by way Of New York and the Panama
canal instead of over the northwest
ern railroads for Vladivostok via Port
land or Seattle.
Flood Of Shipments.
A great flood of these shipments has
been moving from Chicago. Pittsburgh,
Detroit and other points to New York,
where shipments via the Panama ca
nal for Vladivostok have averaged
eight steamers a month.
This freight movement has not only
congested the eastern lines and the
New York terminals. but has given
nothing to haul westward. With moth
ing but empty cars on their hands and
needing all the empties they could lay
their hands on. the eastern roads have
been sorely tempted to keep these
cars, once in their possession, causing
a dire car shortage at western points.
Shipments that have gone westward
have gone over Canadian roads to be
shipped out of Vancouver.
The shipments over Canadian roads
is probably the result of allied trade
agreements. But the reason for the
shipment of munitions and other
freight supplies from western points
via New York and the Panama canal
is more obscure. Whatever this reason
is, it has its Judgment in allied con-
troll and is supposedly due to some ar
rangement with ocean carriers OF the
allies who transport this freight.
Would Lessen Congestion.
II the supplies for the Russians were
shipped over the land route to Port
land or Seattle through the twin City
gateway it would undoubtedly have the
effect of lesSening the eastern conges-
ton, and of sending freight cars west
ward where they are badly needed. 1t
is estimated that 5000 cars are requtr-
ed to haul this freight eastward which
would go far to relieve the western
congestion If sent that way.
In addition to that 1t would increase
the ocean carrying capacity, as these
ships could make the distance from
Portland or Seattle to Vladivostok in
less than half the time 1t requires to
make the trip from New York to
vladivostok via the Panama canal.
Thus eight ships doing the business
by way of New York could be multi
piled in carrying efficiency to Is ships
or more because they could make two
trips where they are now making one.
Restricting land freight to the Ca
madam roads to leave from Vancouver
has the further effect of lessening the
available car supply in this country.
Canada has had an embargo on its
cars, not permitting them to come into
fhe United States. American cars
with American. supplies are sent to
Canada and as in the United States, |
when a Canadian road gets possession
Of a foreign car it hangs on to it until
compelled to disgorge. Thousands of
coal cars have gone into Canada in
this way. The western movement |
through Canada of United States