Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1917-12-08

subject and their proposals have run
all the way from a policy of govern
ment seizure to that of a hands-off at
titude, leaving the roads to work the
problem out themselves. He gave
careful study today to the Interstate
Commerce commissions recommenda-
tion to congress that the government
operate the roads or suspend during
the war laws which prevent a com
plete pooling and a consequent uni
fication of all rail systems
Priority Order Effective December Is,
Todays priority order, effective De-
cember Is, Is the first general order
issued classifying materials for ship
ment. 1t was issued at the urgent re-
quest of the food and fuel admins
trations and government departments.
The railroads have opposed it on the
ground that 1t would retard rather
than expedite shipments.
The materials classified today will
move in the following order:
Railroad fuel, livestock, perishable
foods and feeds, military supplies,
other government supplies on special
request, coal for coking plants and
coal for current use. The movement
of coal is prescribed in manner sim
liar to request for preferential ship
ment for specified requirements re-
quested of producers several days ago
by Fuel Administrator Garfield.
The new order does not affect pri-
ority order No. 2, relative to open
top cars No. 8, relating to movement
of coal from mines in Utah and Wyo-
ming, and No. 4, relating to shipments
of cattle feed to Texas and New Mex
leo.
Traffic Manager Suggested.
The intimation that the government
will name a traffic manager came
from the railroad war board, which
has urged the appointment of such a
man to coordinate demands by varl-
Gus government departments for pri.
ority of their shipments. Edward
Chambers OF the Santa Fe system
now traffic manager for the food ad
ministration, has been suggested for
the place.
Mr. Harrison's statement was in
terpreted as an answer to suggestions
for government operation of railroads
1t was given out at the railroad war
boards offices and replied to declara-
tions that the railroads have "broken
down" under the strain of war. After
asserting that the roads could not be
operated more efficiently under diff
ferent management, Mr.. Harrison
said:
THE point of the whole matter Is
that the railroads have been operated
with the highest efficiency and have
until now transported without sub
stantial complaint the greatest volume
of traffic in the history Of the coun-
try.
THE roads under direction of the
railroad war board are prepared with
out reservation to make common use
of facilities, power and equipment to
accomplish the highest measure Of
success in the transportation effort Of
the country"
Financial Aid Needed.
Members or the board feel that
government financial aid is necessary
If terminals are to be extended. Sus-
pension of antitrust laws to permit
pooling of traffic and profits. would
add to the efficiency of freight move
ment and would dispel hesitancy or
the part of the roads in putting into
operation complete pooling system.
A government loan. according to the
railroad men, would not relieve the
immediate situation, but would be of
incalculable value if the war lasts
long and traffic remains heavy. 1t Is
impossible, they say, to obtain from
banks money for extension because
the money is going into war materials
Heavy shipments of cars and locomo-
tives to France and Russia have caus-
ed domestic orders to be set aside