The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1917-12-01
Committee Wants Tugs to
Tow Fuel to Relieve the
New England Shortage
RAILROADS AT
BLOCKADE POINT
Resort to Priority, 1t Is Held, Would
Simply Increase Congestion in the
East-To Prolong Lake Season as Far
as Possible

4
PITTSBURGH, Pa, December Ito
enable the moving Of more coal to the
New England states, where a shortage
is reported, and TO relieve the conges
ton on the Eastern railroads, the gen
cral operating committee of the rail
roads war board, at the close of its
second days meeting here, asked,
through General Black, chief of engi
neers, and Dr. II. A. Garfield, federal
fuel administrator, that more seagoing
tugs be furnished to move boats of
shallow draught from the ports of Bal
timorc, Philadelphia and New York
to New England points.
Companies operating steamship lines
on the Great Lakes were asked by the
committee to extend the navigation
season as long as possible, with a view
of relieving the railroads.
Amplifying the order issued yester-
day diverting traffic from the Pitts
burgh gateway, an order has been sent
10 all Eastern railroads, the committee
announced, providing ''that all freight,
westbound, from New England, New
York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Harris
burg. and intermediate points be en-
bargoed and diverted TO northern
routes.
The committee adopted a resolution
asking the Eastern seaport lines TO or
game overseas committees, one for
each of the ports Of Boston, New York,
Philadelphia. Baltimore, and Norfolk,
ito secure close cooperation with the
allied overseas executive committee and
with the United States authorities and
thereby obtain the best results i'll the
rail movement of overseas traffic.
II was Indicated that much OF to-
day q session Of the committee. which
was executive, was taken up with the
New England coal situation and the
effects on general railroad conditions
Of continued attempts to move coal by
railroad into that district TO relieve the
shortage. After canvasSing the situa-
jtion the ,eonlmittes came to the con
clusion that the water route TO New
England was the only means Of solving
the coal shortage problem there with
out creating p new problem in the
greater blocking Of railroad traffic.
hOIc serious congestion viii occur
this winter unless this water route is
opened up, saws the committee in a
statement issued last night. Statistics
presented by members OF the commit
tee, which il comprised Of the operating
vice presidents of the principal East
crn lines, are said to show that the
| Pennsylvania, Western Maryland, and
Baltimore q Ohio, tidcwater dumping
facilities at the port OF Baltimore are
! only being used to about % per cent
of their capacity. The same condition,
the committee found, prevails TO a
I slightly less extent in Philadelphia.
| q" The navy department has comman-
| dCcred - per cent Of the sea going
| tugs owned by the Reading railway, -
| says the committee, (Which has caused
| congestion on rail lines. due to the in
ability TO move coal through all-rail
routes -
! In view OF these conditions, the COM
mittcc asked Chief Engineer Black and
| Fuel Administrator Garfield to take
steps to furnish moro sea going tugs,
and also steamers for the deep harbors
| Of the northern coast.