Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1917-02-22
EMBARGO ON ALL
FREIGHT EXCEPT
FOOD DEMANDED.
President Chicago Board Trade
Says Railroads and l. C. C.
Are Bringing Famine in
the United States.
HAUL BEST PAYING GOODS
Tells Commission It's Cures
Have Come to Naught
and Insists on Action to
L Prevent Anarchy.

Chicago. Feb. 22-J. p. Griffin, pres
ident Of the Chicago board of trade. to-
day telegraphed to the Interstate Com
merce commission and to the presi-
dents of eastern railroads, insisting
that unless an immediate embargo was
placed on all products eastbound out
OF Chicago, except fuel and foodstuffs.
the country will face the danger of an
archy and rioting.
In his telegram to the railroad presi-
dents Mr.. Griffin said:
Despite all your assurances no re-
lief has been afforded to move grain
and other food products out of Chicago.
Blamed for Famine.
'"The present scarcity Of supplies
borders on famine in many communi-
ties with the consequent initiation OF
values directly chargeable to the fail
ure Of the railroads to meet this ma
tonal emergency.
Il request that instructions be is
sued by you forthwith prohibiting the
movement of any freight at this time
excepting foodstuffs, coal and other
commodities necessary to sustain hui
man and animal existence.
Unless this is done there is great
danger of riot and anarchy through
put this land. The present situation is
largely caused by railroads giving pref
erence to commodities other than those
necessary to maintain life.
Commission Cures Fail.
Failure to meet the situation is
squarely up to the railroads.
In his telegram to the Interstate
Commerce commission, Mr. Griffith
gives a synopsis of the one sent to the
railroad presidents, and adds:
None of the cures offered. by the
commission or the railroads themselves
have been or can be effective It is a
fact beyond dispute that industries
generally are operating at from 200 to
500 per cent above normal and securing
such equipment as needed. 1t is very
apparent. therefore, that preference is
given to freight paying the greatest
revenue.
Anarchy in v. S. Feared.
1--WE are confronted with a national
emergency. request in behalf of the
people of this country that the COM
mission forthwith issue an order in line
with the requests that 1 have made of
eastern roads,
Failure to secure such an order as
indicated is likely to result in a state of
riot and anarchy throughout this coun-
Try and the consequence of the same
will be directly chargeable to the In
railroads"
A meeting Of the directors of the
board of trade, lawyers and traffic ex-
perts. was held this afternoon to ascer-
tain If legal means could be found to
force the railroads and the Interstate
Commerce commission to clear up the
situation. particularly as it affects Chi
cago.
THE commission and the railroads
have failed in the crisis" said Mr.. Grif-
fin. We are trying to ascertain if the
courts offer solution
GRAIN ELEVATOR CLOSED.
Chicagos grain elevators have prac-
ucally ceased operations, it is said.
They are loaded to the roofs and un-
able to ship out.
Grain dealers have estimated that
there are at least 30,O00,OOO bushels of
grain in Chicago elevators awaiting
shipment; that there are at least 7,OO0.-
900 bushels on cars held up at switch
tracks and sidings and that in addi-
tion tributary grain sections have an
equal amount in elevators and oD
trains.
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