The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-12-13

and everything is blocked by the de-
lay.
With the Government co-operatinr
In the Washington congestion by
naming a freight supervisor here, this
official would aid in troop movements
and in getting freight away for the
Government departments, which are
receiving thousands OF carloads each
week
The building OF additional trackage
on the old Benning road race course
would, II was suggested today, help
considerably. and probably enable
troop movements to be made from
there.
Railroad officials say that Govern
ment departments and Washington
consignees generally, with the excep-
ton of wIde-awake business nen Who
nave traffic managers Of their own
TO constantly follow their shipments,
are woefully slow in moving consiRn-
ments The business man laws the
blame TO the transfer companies with
which he has contracts. They put the
blame on inability to get help.
Railroad officials say they take mar
tcular pains to send out advices twice
each day OF the arrival Of freight.
they take receipts OF the service of
these notices, and follow with letters
and telephone calls. There il great
accumulation OF lumber, building ma
terials, hay and feed. Much OF this
lumber and building material Is con-
signed to contractors constructing
rush buildings for the Government.
The name OF the Government is con-
jured with as an excuse for delays
in unloading.
There are several hundred cars
consigned to- the Government at the
union freight yards that have been
there for three weeks. Some Of the
Government departments have con-
tracts for the removal Of the shin
ments with the same transfer COM
panies that Washington merchants
depend upon TO get their goods haul
ed. The contracts are often at I'M
profitable rates, furnishing a natural
tendency to delay.
Another bothersome feature OF the
congestion is that lumber concerns Of
Washington, knowing the demand for
lumber and building material here,
have been shipping carloads con-
signed TO themselves without having
made advance sales. Their represen-
tatives come here and bargain for sales
after arrival. the cars remaining in
the freight yards for days and weeks
while the dickering goes on.
Business Men Can Helm,
Railroad men said today that bust
ness men can help things materially
by personal attention in the yaros
and warehouses to shipments. The
government could do the. same, but
does not. That is why one man
should be named by the Government
10 work in clearing the freight con-
gestion.
The National Council OF Defense
has been suggesting that merchants
all over the country curtail their de.
liveries OF purchases 10 one each day.
In Washington there are anywhere
from one to four deliveries each day.
More than one delivery Is believed to
be required here because OF thou
sands OF new people coming without
household and personal supplies
which they need on locating.
r. p. Andrews, president OF the Re
tail Merchants Association, is con
sidering methods for uniting business
men upon plans of relief. His own
establishment does not suffer except
indirectly because IT does its own
hauling.
IF this situation does not quickly
improve the stocks OF goods OF Wash
ington merchants will soon begin TO
run low said AFR. Andrews. This
ought not to be permitted in the face
OF big increases in population and
constantly enlarginE demands for
goods of=sll sorts. - --