Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1917-11-25
Congestion of Freight Makes
It Necessary for Government
and Transportation Heads
to Take Drastic Action,
MOST REVOLUTIONARY
INDUSTRIAL MEASURE
Committee of Vice Presidents
Is to Operate ALL Lines With
Absolute Authority, Is Final
Decision,
fsv noHnso Jou~s.t SPECIAL LEASED w,ss,

Washington, Nov 24.-Operation of
all railway lines east of Chicago as one
pentraLiZed system was decided on
today by the railroad war board to OBJ
tain a maximum of efficiency in traf-
fic movement. Cars and trackage
facilities will be pooled, regardless of
ownership or the railroads individual
interest. This almost revolutionary
move was announced tonight, after an
all-day conference between members
Of the war board and government Of
ficials, at which many remedies were
offered for the freight congestion that
has paralyzed transportation in the
east. 1t was adopted as the best and
readiest means of meeting a situation
that has threatened the production
and despatch abroad of war materials.
Committee viii Control.
The roads will be operated by a
committee of vice presidents Of the
lines, under the general direction of
the war board itself. comprising five
of the country's railway heads. The
committee of vice presidents will be
given full authority to adopt any
measures found necessary to accom-
plish a unified operation,
The operating program calls for the
following:
Diversion of locomotives, employees
and machine tools from western to
eastern railroads.
Utilization of repair shops on west
ern lines for repairing eastern equip
ment.
Pooling of all tracks and equipment
in the east wherever practicable.
Pro rata distribution among east
ern roads of open top cars on basis
of tonnage carrying capacity of the
equipment in the pool.
Diversion from congested lines OF
all freight that can be handled by any
open route.
Government Action Needed.
To make more effective the pooling
arrangement the war board recon-
mendoG that the government take the
following steps Immediately:
Survey the present contracts and
methods of purchase and shipment of
coal that cross-hauls may be elimi-
mated and that coal may move on the
shortest route from producer to con-
sumer.
Extend the pooling of coal produc-
ton and shirment.
Transfer as far as possible the
movement of foodstuffs and other
export commodities to southern ports
to relieve congestion in north Atlantic
ports.
Survey all government requirements
involving the movement of raw ma
terals and manufactured products SO
that accumulations on roads and In
terminals may be eliminated while
products are waiting shipment or ex-
port.
Require wherever possible the
building of war industrial plants In
territory other than the eastern sea-
board.
Big Men Solve Problem.
The pooling plan was worked out
by the railroad heads some days age
and was formally approved by govern.
ment officials at today's conference
The government representatives pres
ent were Robert S. Lovett, director OF
priority of transportation; Fuel Ad.
/ ministrator Garfield, Food Admins
traitor Hoover. Chairman Hurley OF
the shipping board, Edgar e. CLARK
of the Interstate Commerce commits
sion, and others. The plan will be put
into immediate effect.
The railroad situation has caused
considerable concern not only among
the government heads but in railroad
circles as we'll Despite the fact tha
the roads are moving more traffic
than they ever before carried it hai
been seen that the breaking point Il
near.
With industries idle for lack Of coal
industrial plants unable to obtain raw
materials and domestic consumers un
able to obtain necessities, there Is dis
position in government circles to den!
Transportation to large number o.
commodities classed as non essentials
Priority arrangements as they nov
exist, it is asserted, defeat their owr
object. The committee Of vice presi
dents will meet in Washington OF
Monday to formulate further rules fol
operation and to consider additiona
recommendation to the government
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