The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1917-02-15
SHORTAGE OF FOOD
f. IS THREATENED BY
|. FREIGHT EMBARGO
investigation of Tie-Up Shows
Big Decrease in Exports to
Neutral Nations.
ROADS CRY FOR EMPTIES.
Congestion Worst Around Buff
falo and New York Faces
Lack of Supplies.

Ten thousand cars ara needed riBht
now, ten thousand "empties." to re-
lleve the country OF freight conges-
tiou that Is growing every day and
threatens 20 create a scarcity Of food
stuffs In New York. and a shortage
means still higher prices. Every rail-
road man has his own Views about
the cause, 30 has every shipper; the
heads OF exchanges say one thing,
the merchants associations another.
out OF all The Evening World gath
ers this:
First, that for five weeks there
has been no exports to Great Brit
ain or France or Belgium or neu-
trail countries in anything like the
abundance that prevailed two
months ago. In fact the shipment
OF wheat. cotton. meats lard.
pork and munitions OF war has
dropped down so per cent. in two
weeks. Nobody wants 70 take the
risk. Nobody will take the stuff
out OF the cars.
Second-These cars, loaded with
munitions and foodstuffs Of all
kinds. frozen and perishable, are
tied UP in sidetracks OF Buffalo,
sChicago, pittsburgh, st. Louis, St
Paul and San Francisco. The
biggest congestion right now Is in
Buffalo and the Chicago yards.
Third. This piling sup OF loaded
freight cars has naturally caused
the greatest scarcity OF empty
cars the country has known In
years. The railroads cannot help
It. but they are loath to admit
that this In the chief cause OF
congestion.
This congestion has caused roads
here and there to declare an embargo;
that is, they sent word that the,
could not accept shipments for Eas
.or West within any definite date ir
mind. Last week every railroad bu
the Erie had such an embargo 70
three days. During the last forty
eight hours the D., l. n w issued ar
embargo effecting only westbounC
shipments from Buffalo.
Their lines are clear 70 and from
Buffalo. as far as direct communica'
ton with New York City is con
cerned. They can and want 10 40
cept shipments from tho East, ship
ments from the West are badl!
hampered. There are fewer freigh
trains coming into New York to-day
on all roads. than there were yes
terday.
Vice. President Flynn OF the d., L
& w, who issued the embargo order
said to-day:
81 hope we will be able TO raise II
Contrary to the statements in morn
ing papers. embargoes OF this klnt
would rather have the effect OF pre-
venting food from getting in her
than OF throwing food on the market
But just as long as shipments com
In freely from the West we are still
able to handle freight intended 10
New York City What's the matter1
Mr.. Flynn gave several reasons, bu
finally admitted. as all railroad me-
are admitting. that there mas been a.
enormous slump in shipments abroad
that the weather has been severe ou
west-and that these condition,
chiefly the former, have created a.
immense shortage OF cars. The sit
uation looks so bad that the Chlcag
Board OF Trade has limited that
will ask an investigation from tn
President.
All the Western roads have de
clared local embargoes and thes
local" embargoeS have the effect O
tying up for a certain time ever
freight artery in tho country. No,
as to tho B'lrialo situation. There ar
$1,000 loaded freight cars tied up 1
| .be Buffalo yards-and they are bein
added to every day. Before Sahir
day Buffalo will have the appearance
OF a national military camp with a
the produce OF the nation gathere
! into It.
! T. w. Evans, Assistant Gener,
Manager OF the New York Central.
! In Buffalo to-day trying to create OF
der out OF chaos as far as his road
! concerned. The New York Centri
has an embargo against freight CON
ing into Buffalo over its lines.
does not know when that embArE
will be lifted. Not only food But COZ
has been affected. The present cor
dition gives the spectators a fir
opportunity to raise the price OF CO.
by tho bucket,
Harry Dowie, President OF the Ne
York Butter and Egg Exchange, safe
"Well. the shippers In our bushes
are sending butter and eggs by G,
press. II costs a little more, and yo
know what that means, But the e.
press Is saving us. The roads car
not help this, II Is not their fauI
You see there Is very little goir
abroad now"