The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-02-16
RELIEF FROM !.
CONGESTION OF
FREIGHT SEEN
(By Associated Press.>

New York, Feb. 16.-Relief from the
freight congestion caused by the Ger
man submarine policy was seen in the
announcement, that a number OF
Dutch and Scandinavian vessels would
soon depart with cargoes for theif
trans Atlantic ports. The understand
ing that the British naval authorities
had arranged for neutral ships bound
for the northern European countries to
touch at Halifax instead of Kirkwall
and thus avoid the submarine zone
gave promise Of the resupmtion of
regular sailings.
The export situation, however,
was declared by traffic heads of rail-
roads entering this city to be the most
serious in the history of the port Of
New York.
The officials said that freight con-
gestion was not serious here, but that
this Is true only because of a system
OF almost wholesale embargoes against
shipments from the west for EXPORT
These embargoes. 1t was pointed out,
while they prevent terminals and piers
from becoming filled to capacity are
responsible for unusually contested
conditions west of Pittsburgh and
Buffalo.
Unless relief now is assured through
early offerings of considerable cargo
space, according to men familiar with
the situation, more restrictive
embargoes must be placed, congestion
will increase in many parts of the
country, loaded cars will stand idle.
great quantities of perishable food
stuffs will be dumped on domestic
markets. manufacturers will cease to
consign shipments eastward and the
production Of many raw products will
be reduced.
Railroad traffic managers assert
that the ship shortage situation of a
year ago, when the export burden
overtaxed New York's capacities.
taught lesson from which they are
proflting in the present situation. At
that time the piers and terminals were
piled with freight, much Of which
persisted before it could be exported.
Today, they point out, there is no such
congestion because for many months
the railroads have accepted freight
from the south and west only on the
permit basis" Under this system,
only those shipments were allowed to
reach here for which consignees prov
ed in advance that cargo space was
awaiting upon arrival.
While this method. has kept railroad
terminals here comparatively free
from over-crowding, it's effect else
where has eliminated in car shortage
situations so serious that traffic heads
have become alarmed. The executive
committee of the American Railway
association is expected to discuss the
subject at meeting here today. Yes
terday the representatives of thirty
railroads reached "gentleman's
agreement in Washington, to declare
a virtual embargo against eastern
bound shipments intended for trans
f1on TTndny. d. xNIo AL
cars in the east would be hurried |
westward to relieve congestion. Much |
Of the car shortage there is attributed
to the recent severe weather.
An embargo of this character has |
FOR some days been in effect on some
Of the roads entering New York. |
Delaware, Lackawanna & Westerns |
terminals have filled nearly to capa-
city, the roads traffic department said |
and from lines west of |
Buffalo no shipments are accepted for |
export Similarly the road is not ac-
,epting shipments east Of Buffalo for
points west of that city. The outlook |
vas regarded yesterday as Gin
lefinite."
The Lackawanna has 1901 cars load /
I'd with shipments westward bound /
led up at Buffalo owing to western |
weather. conditions it was stated.
A situation somewhat corresponding |
aces the Pennsylvania at Pittsburgh,
t was said, this road refusing to ac-
,ept western shipments for trans
Atlantic export unless cargo space Is
assured and rejecting eastern ship |
nents for points west of Pittsburgh.
With the permit basis" in operation, /
t was expected the Pennsylvania is /
lot required to gamble on the ex-
bort situation and its terminals here |
ire only comfortably crowded.
New York Central traffic officials /
Llso said no export shipments were |
accepted unless ships were waiting for /
hem.
II foreign bound ships began to
move out, 1t was asserted, embargoes
IN eastbound shipments could be
ion relieved.