Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-03-17
TENSION IS LEssENED
IN RAILROAD CIRCLES
Local Officials Arc Clearing Lines
and Preparing for Any
Emergency.
r., =. ~ =. HAS PLENTY or MEN
Three Can 'c Found for Every Po-
sition Vacated in Event Of Strike,
Says w. -. Duke = Passenger
Traffic Is Not Affected.

/ Pending the result OF the confer.
cuco between railway managers and
officers Of the four big bro,hcrhood,
/ OF trainmcn. requested by President
wilson late yesterday. there was a
noticeable lesscpinE OF tension in
I'ichmond last night in tho railroad
strike situation. In fact hopcful
signs that the strike would he avert
cd were observed carly Yesterday when
/ tho Chesapeake and Ohio Railway Com
/ ranF started receiving local freight
for delivery on its lines. Ecyond tho
statement that They were preparing to
meet the situation in event of the
general strike. local officials declined
I" discuss tho matter
Modifying it's general embargo order
AGAINST tho acceptance Of all freight
OF all kinds for all destinations in
Guiding connecting railroads and
steamship lines. which hcramc effective
| Thursday night. the Chesapeake and
| ohio yesterday advised its agents to
acc"p, certain shipmcnts OF freight
/ billed t" local stations on its lines.
which with reasonable dispatch would
reach destinations before tho hour set
for the strike.
Other. Southern railroads also dc
| Cidcd Yesterday on more or less strin .
reut action for their protection. and
/ only certain cla>scs of freight were
/ received for transportation. Ecgula :
/ tons promulgated by tho railroads
: however. governed only freight traf.
! tie. and rs yct no action III connection
I with passenger travel has been taken.
I Tho strike orders, M to this TING. af-
[ feet only freight traffic. although
/ brotherhood officers assert that i,
/ such u ,ic.up OF transportation fncili-
I t1e * .,i0 n their n
| passenger employees will nc ordered
! to Walk out.
| Richmond officials stated last night
that they had given little or no con-
sidcration To tho passenger end OF the
matter. asserting that they would be
I in position to work ont plans for tho
/ operation OF :: skeleton service on
/ these lines "a; snort notice il tho sit
/ untion ultimately developed to such
{ serious proportions.
steps for its own protection and 10
/ relieve its lines Of al responsibility
I for frciEh, shipments were taken yes
to-day by the Southern Railway Com
pany when general embargo was
declared Tho order, transmitted to
every agent OH its lines cast reads
as follows:
I affective at once. on account OF :he
threatened strike. do not accept from
I shippers or connecting lines any live
stock or rcrishablc freight which can
/ not reach It's destination on regular
schedule trains by o'clock to-mor-
row morning saturday..
'''ro not accept any other freight
destined for points beyond tho South
/ Crn Hallway system and freight for
points Of southern Railway limos will
/ be accepted only suhjcc; to delay. and
hills of ladinr mus, nc so indorsed.'
ENPt:Cr TO OPERATE to<t.
SPI-EI OF =
Tho southern. under this order, ac-
| Ccpts freight for delivery on its own
lines. The statement was made in
! Richmond yesterday that the Southern
anticipated that it would he in posi-
/ ;"n To operate IA number of its trains
/ in event Of tho strike, and the rail
/ roads action III accepting certain
classes Of freight adds weigh, TO this
/ statement
Announcement Was made yesterday
at the Chesapeake and Ohio offices.
/ however, that the necessary coal Tor
the operation OF public utility plants
along its lines would he handled by
| that road in event of the strike. OF.
ticials said they believed enough loyal
men could be found 10 operate the
trains necessary for the handling OF
F. fuel and foodstuffs.
No local embargo has hecn declared
lay the Richmond, Frederick shurg and
/ Potomac Railroad. and no such action
Is anticipated. local officials said yes
t"rday. The .hor, line OF tho road
/ makes possible the operation Of trains
within eight hours. and little trouble
is expected. Nearly three men Tor
I every position made vacant ii the
strike matcrializes could be found
from the loyal mon remaining in the
service. and volunteers from the Office.
shop and road forces. according to W
- Duke. assistant to the presidcnt
Too Al FREIGHT OFFICES
NJ The various freight stations in
iHyhinond Yesterday there Mas slish.
congestion many large wholesale
houses ondca voriug 10 rush local shin.
mHnts out Of tho city at once This
was especially true after the Chcaa.
pcahc and Ohio Railway Company AN
nounc"d that il would receive ship.
mcniS destined TO points on its lines
/ IL IN" wholesale district there was
/ considerable alarm felt Yesterday ovo,
the situation. These houses. doing
littlc or no business in Richmond. are
threatened with having their stocks
diiuinishcd ana with hcinr unable 10
/ MAKE deliveries. In Cary street there
was also considerable anxiety felt for
the food supply is only normal. There
Is httie danger. however. that Rich
mond "ill suffer from Il shortage Of
toods;uns, for the transportation OF
these articles viii bc given nrs, con-
sidcratiou hN tho railroads in event
the strike - called.
Railroad officials said that passenger
crews would he used to transport
foodstu1s should the situation become
50 serious as To make this action nee
cssary. Even in event of the strike
these officials assert that freight traf-
nC viii not hc stopped completely.
Alt SHIPMENTS AHE
SUBJECT TO DELAY
~ Associated PresN.
NOW OH LEANS. March LIT ~