Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-03-16
OPERATING OFFICIALS
PLANNING TO MEET ISSUE

city and Washington. While admitting
that service might be curtailcd, they
were unusually we'll prepared. they
said. to handle the situation.
WILL GIVE PREFERENCE
no PERISHABLE FREIGHT
While ii is admitted that tho trans
portation Of foodstuTs into Richmond
might become n serious question in
event OF tho strike, officials Of this
road said they would be able to handle
quantities OF important pcrishable
freight. such a. foodstufs, indicating
that there was no need to become
unduly alarmed about the food supply.
The road expected no trouble in han
ding the mails i'm maintaining a
reasonable passenger service.
The Chesapeake and Ohio Railway
Company was likewise making plans
for the operation of its trains. and
conferences between operating heads
were continued late Into the night.
Both roads. IL was learned. will de-
pend in a large measure on their shop
employees to operate the locomotives
and for the o.hcr mechanical work.
From the men in tho general offices.
especially in the transportation de-
partments. will be selected many TO
act in the capacity Of trainmcn and
conductors. The railroads are also de-
pending on many members OF the
brothcrhoods who are expected TO re-
main at their positions.
All railroads entering Richmond, and
the one steamship company, are eX
pccted to have placed in effect en-
bargocS against the acceptance OF
freight by tho close OF business to-
day. while warnings to passengers is
also expected 10 be issued this morn
ing. The railroads are taking prac-
ticaliy tho same steps undertaken by
them last September. but the situation
was not believed to be serious until
last night, leaving little time in which
to make extensive preparations.
OPERATING HEADS ARE
PREPARING FOR EMERGENCY
Local officials generally were re-
served in their statements last night,
and were apparently waiting for the
movement to run its course. Operat-
ing heads, however, having received
orders from the executives to be pre-
pared in emergency. were devoting
their time to devising plans for a pro-
visional system for the operation of
trains as soon after the strike is put
in force as possible.
While the orders from New York last
night to the trainmen stated that the
strike would be called at o'clock to-
morrow. this only applies TO certain
Northern railroads, nearest TO New
York City. The plans of the brother
hoods are for additional trainmen to
walk out every twelve and twenty
four hours. and the strike is expected
10 reach Virginia Sunday afternoon.
Employees Of the Chesapeake and Ohio.
the Norfolk and Western and the
Southern have been instructed to strike
At that time. If other Southern roads
are not affected at that time, their
employees viii walk out a few hours
later.
One result OF the Chesapeake and
Ohio's embargo, which. it is under
stood. will be followed by similar ac-
ton by the Norfolk and Western and
the Nirginian Railroad. means that
practically all ships coming into
Hampton Roads will be held up at
Newport News for lack of bunker
coal
The quantity of coal now on hand
at the piers in that city is sufficient
only for the ships now in port i, is
stated.
Under the embargo order. work on
the government ships at the plant of
the Newport News ShipbuiidinG Com
pany will be greatly hampered, S ma
terials needed for the construction OF
warships under contract is due TO ar
rive daily.