New-York tribune., 1917-11-30
Hopes to End Shortage and
Relieve Congestion on
Eastern Lines
Freight Is Diverted
Westbound Traffic Will BE
Changed to Northern
Routes

PITTSBURGH, Nov 29.-To enable
the moving of more coal to the New
- England States, where a shortage Is
reported to exist, and 10 relieve the
congestion of the Eastern railroads,
the general operating committee of the
Railroads War Board, at the close Of
its second meeting tonight, asked
through General Black, chief Of engl-
neers, and Or. II. A. Garfield, Federal
Fuel Administrator, that more sea
going tugs be furnished 20 move Doats
of shallow draught from the ports oi
Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York
10 New England points.
Companies operating steamship lines
on the Great Lakes were asked by the
committee tonight 20 extend the navi-
cation season as long as possible, with
a view 70 relieving the railroads. Am
plifying the order issued yesterday dl-
verting traffic from the Pittsburgh
gateway, another order has been sent
10 all Eastern railroads, the committee
announced, providing that all freight
westbound from New England, Ne"
York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Hairs
burg and intermediate points be emhar-
COED and diverted 10 northern routes.
Overseas Committees Asked
The committee at its meeting to-day
adopted d resolution asking the Eastern
seaport lines to organize OverseasscC nj.
mittees, one for each Of the ports OF
Boston, New York, Philadelphia. Balu-
more and Norfolk. The object of these
committees, says a statement issued, Is
.to secure close cooperation with the
Allied overseas executive committee
and with the United States authorities
and thereby obtain the best results IN
the rail movement of overseas trafrlc.
II was indicated that much Of to-
DAYS session of the committee. which
was held behind closed doors, was
taken Nd with the New England coal
situation and the effects on general
railroad conditions Of the continued
attempts TO move coal by railroad into
that district to relieve the shortage
After canvassing the situation the com
mittee came 10 the conclusion that the
water route to New England Is thc
only means of solving the coal shortage
trouble there without creating new
problem in the greater blocking Of
railroad traffic.
"Niore serious congestion will occur
this winter unless this water route IS
opened up," SAYS the statement made
public tonight. Statistics presented
by members of the committee, which IS
comprised of the operating vice-presl-
dents of the principal Eastern lines,
are said 10 show that the Pennsylvania,
Western Maryland and Baltimore &
Ohio tidewater coal dumping facilities
at the port of Baltimore are being used
only TO about % per cent of their ca
pacity. The same condition. the com
mittee found, prevails 10 slightly less
extent at Philadelphia.
Seagoing Tugs COmmandeered
"The Navy Department has com
mandeered 25 per cent of the seagolng
tugs owned by the Reading Railway,
says the committees statement, "whlch
has caused congestion on rail lines due
TO the inability to move coal through
all-rail routes"
In view Of these conditions the com
nittee asked Chief Engineer Black and
Fuel Administrator Garfield to take
steps 10 furnish more seagoing tugs
and also steamers for the deep harbors
of the Northern coast.
The telegram sent by the committee
10 the Great Lakes steamship COM
panies follows:
t ain view Of the relief which water
transportation on the Great Lakes af-
fords to the congested railroads in the
Eastern territory your cooperation Is
solicited in an effort TO extend the sea-
son Of navigation as long as it is pos.
sible. Please advise the attitude OF
your company and what, if any, action
is necessary to secure continuation Of
lighthouse and signal service"
The committee was uncertain To-
night as to future sessions, but mem
bers said another meeting probably
would be held tomorrow.