New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-16
Roads Order Embargo
Put OH Exports to Re-
lieve Seaboard
9 GRAIN TRAINS
A DAY FOR EAST
Lines to Release Cars
When Shipping Cuts
Accumulation

railroads of the country took sum-
mary action to-day to relieve the
shortage of freight cars and the traf-
fic congestion at Eastern seaports,
again approaching an acute stage
because Of the curtailment Of trans
atlantic sailings by Germany's new
submarine campaign.
Representatives of thirty roads,
at meeting here attended by Inter
state Commerce Commission officials,
reached a "gentlemen's agreement"
for a new and drastic campaign of
relief. including the following meas
ures:
Adoption of regulations tsnta-
mount to a virtual embargo on all
export shipments through Eastern
ports until a part of the vast ac-
emulation already awaiting steam
ships can be cleared away.
Will Tighten Embargoes
Liberal use of IAN intelligent en-
barge" on all domestic eastbound
shipments Such an embargo, al
ready effective on some roads, may
be extended.
A policy of separating empty from
loaded cars in the congested yard:
and sending the empties back, with
others released by unloading, t.
Western lines in solid trainloads
ahead of all other traffic except pas
senger trains.
Eastern roads agreed to give in ad
dition an empty car to their Western
connections for every loaded car re-
ceived.
Export traffic through the East will
remain virtually at standstill during
the period of adjustment, and east
bound domestic traffic will be greatly
curtailed. il the plans work out. The
amount Of freight for export has in
creased greatly at Eastern ports, be-
cause Of the great decrease in steam
ship sailings.
The congestion at some Eastern
wards. it was said. having become SO
serious that it is extremely difficult
to move anything, one road is re-
ported 70 have every track crowded
and in addition cars loaded with ex-
mort wheat standing on forty-nine
barres in New York Harbor. Every
Eastern grain elevator is said to be
overAowing, and in addition there are
1000, 900 bushels of export wheat in
Minneapolis, which have been awaiting
TRANSFORMATION east for more than two
months.
New England Threatened
Ir New England, the railroad men
saw. there is threatened shortage of
grain. while the -four supply Of Pitts
burgh. Philadelphia, New York and
New England cities is none TOO large.
At to-day's meeting it was decided TO
move two trainloads of fifty cars each
east from Minneapolis daily, one laden
with wheat for New England. the other
carrying -four to New England and the
three cities named.
The two daily trsinloads OF wheat
and -four are to be given the right of
vav over all other traffic except pas
senger business. Railroad officials be-
lieve the plan will succeed in avertlng
any foodstufs shortage in Eastern
cities.
A, fast as sailing ocean steamers
diminish the accumulation Of freight
awaiting export at Eastern ports, the
railroads will let down the bars Of the
embargo.
Finding me empties in crowded
wards. making them into trains and
dispatching them Westward on fast
freight schedules is task which some
officials regard as almost herculean,
though necessary, If adequate relief Is
TO be obtained.
The commission on car service, an
nounced tonight that the plan for
Eastward movement Of grain and -four
was as follows:
Two trains weekly, each OF Atty cars
of -four, from Minneapolis to the Pitts
burgh territory via Pennsylvania lines
and the Baltimore e. Ohio Railroad.
one train weekly of fifty cars Of
-four from Minneapolis TO Philadel-
phia. via the Baltimore & Ohio Rail
road.
Two trains weekly, each Of fifty cars
of -four. from Minneapolis 20 New
York. via the Pennsylvania Railroad
and the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad.
One train weekly OF ffty ears OF
-four from Minneapolis TO Buffalo, via
the New York Central lines.
Two trains weekly, each OF nifty cars
Of aour, from Minneapolis to New
England territory, via the New YORK
Central and Pennsylvania lines.
A daily train OF fifty cars OF feed
,tufs. oats and corn (including seed
oats) from Minneapolis to New Eng
land points.
Detail. as to the effect Of the freight