Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-09-05

CHIEF NEED
in RUSSIA
Lack of Efficient Transpor-
tation Country's Great
Drawback.

American business interests to obtain
direct advice in regard to Russian
conditions the Americana Russian
chamber Of commerce has been hold
ing a series Of conferences at the
Bankers club, at which prominent
and representative Americans have
presented their point of view in re-
gard to the development of cooper
alton between Russia and the United
States.
At the second Of these conferences,
8. r. Bertron, who was the financial
expert of the recent American diplo-
matte mission to Russia, resented an
analysis of resent conditions in Rus
STA. Mr.. Bertron's address was given
out yesterday by the chamber of
commerce.
THE all-important question:" said
MIR. Bertron, "in Russia at the present
time is that of transportation, and the
effective solution Of the problem will
in itself be the solution of many of
the problems connected with the re-
organization of Russia's industrial
life. To our surprise we found the
Trans-Siberian railroad in excellent
condition. However, while there are
three times as many men employed on
the Trans-Siberian line as. on the
'oAA ~ oooy IllS Ci1iClSIlCy
Is only 80 per cent, and their failure
to utilize to the fullest extent the
facilities at their disposal has created
congestion in the port of Vladivostok,
where about 700, 900 of material
have accumulated, while the railroad
Is moving at the present time only
such stuff as is now entering the port
and no inroads are being made on
the accumulated freight. The only
remedy for this condition is by the in
PRODUCTION of more rolling stock and
more engines. 1t is expected that our
government will be able to Introduce
a total Of 875 locomotives and $4,000
cars In Russia during the present year,
put this is only a small fraction Of
what Russia requires in the way of
railroad equipment"
Mr.. Bertron said that in addition to
the Trans-Siberian line there would
be available, during the winter months
only, n additional railroad, namely.
the new line from the Port Of MUIR
max. which is generally known as the
Kola railroad, this connecting the
Bay OF kola with '.Petrograd. This
line, the Root commissions exper
said, was completed during the spring.
but went out of commission as a re-
suit OF the destruction of several
stAS 'Ah1i VI LIE LTdCkS,
Plans are now being made with the
assistance of the American railway
commission in Russia to place this
line in working order.
The problem of securing proper
supplies Of coal is an important fac-
tor" said Mr.. Bertron. .The CHIEF
coal center is in Donetz, which is To-
Gated in South Russia. There is !
railroad connecting the Donetz coal
neids with the industrial centers near
Moscow and Petrograd. On account
OF h lack of transportation eouins
ment Russia is importing large o1,an.
Titles Of coal, which places a serious
strain on the shipping facilities this
road could handle AL per cent more
coal than it aver had done before
This Increase would be sufficient tn
supply Russia with its normal rea,ireo
ments OF coal supplies for the entire
veal, and would eliminate the necaas
Sly OF utilizing shipping tonnage for
Goa importations into Russia
While conceding that Russia,ssAnara
gal situation was q serious one M
Berfron was firm in the BELIEF that
tEaf country's enormous resources
YOU'D solve the financial problems
onnecred with tine war.