The Washington herald., 1917-02-22

Food riots and car shortage smash
cd their way to the center Of the
stage yesterday in a way to make
officials gasp and Congress demand
action.
An extremely perilous situation
came with reports of semi-starvation
from many cities; reports showing
actual lack of food in some places,
and prices so enormously high in
others as to make privation, hunger,
and rioting no longer a threat, but
| fact
Cries for bread came from the poor
of New York, Chicago, Boston, and
other cities as prices mounted, and
the Interstate Commerce Commission.
desperately trying to cope with an
unprecedented situation. assumed
drastic authority and directed railroad
managers IN a score Of sections to
rush food trains at once-disregard-
ing all other traffic demands-to COM
munities in straits.
Oar shortage TO Blame.
! The commission believes car short
age is to blame, and one member last
night said:
Empty cars are jammed into yards,
and some railroad managers say it is
impossible to extricate therl, but We
will get hem out If we have TO dvna-
mite them"
1t is evident President Wilson is
aroused as never before to the dan
ger and is preparing TO enforce an
embargo on all freight shipments but
food and coal, the elimination of car
tie-ups in harbor terminals owing to
shipping cancellations. a drastic
"high-cost-of-living inquiry" by the
Federal Trade Commission, and other
measures to remedy the situation. o
Myer London speaks
Meyer London, Socialist member OF the
! House, made a speech in which he de-
clared the food crisis has surpassed the
war peril in Importance as an immediate
! national emergency.
! Bread riots in New York were followed
by others in interior cities; Mayor Nit
chel, of New York, was besieged by a del
egation OF women from the East Side in
which an amazing food shortage situation
was presented; mass meetings Of protest
will soon reach Congress and may pos
sibly compel President Wilson to call an
| extra session until a speedy relief Is
| found
In Washington the food situation has
I
/ are rising. The Interstate Commerce
Commission has received kilograms show
ing the full extent of the shortage and
| has been informed that the entire Attain
| tic seaboard requires railroad help with
out delay.
The announcement Of the commissions
food campaign was prompted by tele-
gram from President Griffin, OF the Chi
\ csgo Board Of Trade, charging that the
commissions arrangement for rushing
grain east from Minnes polls discrtrninsesd
| against Chicago shippers. In a lengthy
| telegram last night the commission re-
futed the charge and pointed out the
/ strenuous steps taken TO relieve the
situation.
U-Boat War Has pnses.
The German submarine blockade OF
American ports and bad weather conti-
| tions have seriously increased the short
| age Of cars. according to an announces
/ ment made yesterday by the Car Service
| Commission. On February 1 the rail-
roads were short 10000 cars. 1t was stat
| ed, as against a shortage OF G, 900 cars
| on January ].
! As result Of this shortage, Il was
stated last night, business losses are
running into millions, and human suffer
| ing and the starvation OF animals are
widespread. Eighteen Middle Western
cities may find themselves IN total dark
ness any night because Of the shortage
4 OF gas, coal and coke for the manufsc-
ture Of gas. the Car Service Commission
I said last night These cities are ChicaFo,
i CONTINUED on PAGE TWO.