Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-11-25
FACILITIES TO BE POOLED,
REGARDLESS OF OWNERSHIP
Centralized System Will Be Di-
rected by Committee of
Vice-Presidents.
PROGRAM IS REVOLUTIONARY
Ban on Shipment OF Nonessentials
Will Follow II Hoped-For Relief
Docs Not Result
iRy Associ.,ed Press. ]

WASHINGTON. November 2i.-Op-
GRAFTON OF all railway lines east OF
Chicago as one centralized system was
decided on to-day by the railroad war
board to obtain a maximum OF cni-
cheney in traffic movement. Cars and
trackage facilities will be pooled re-
Gardless of ownership or the railroads
Individual interest
This almost revolutionary mS:e was
announced tonight after an all-day
conference o,,wcen members of the
war board and government officials. at
(which many remedies were offered for
the freight congestion that has para
lvzcd transportation in the East. It
was adopted as the best and rcadiest
means Of meeting situation that has
threatened the production and dispatch
abroad OF war materials.
The roads will be operated by a COM
mittee OF vice presidents OF the lines.
under the general direction OF the war
board. itself comprising Eve of the
country's railway heads. The commit
tee OF vice-presidents will be given
!ull authority TO adopt any measures
found necessary to accomplish, a uni
fled operation.
10 DIVERT FACILITIES
FROM wEsT no EAST
The operating program calls for the
following:
Diversion of locomotives. employees
apd machine tools from Western to
Eastern railroads.
Utilization of repair shops on West
ern lines for repairing Eastern equip
ment. seI-
Pooling Of MI tracks and equipment
!, in the Eas; Wherever practicable.
FRO rata distribution amon6 Eastern
roads OF open-top cars ora hrsls OF
tonnage carrying capacity 81 the
equipment IN tho oooi.
Diversion from congestcd lnos o. xii
freight that can be h,ntiuJ b. any
opnr route.
ro make more eTc:,ire ;ne pooling
arrangement. the was boaiG recon-
rcodcd that the EovcrnmcE: ;aGc the
following steps Immediately:
Survey the present contracts and
methods Of purchase and shipment OF
coal that cross hauls may be elimi-
rated and that Goa, may move On the
shortcs. route from producer TO con-
suJncr.
Extend the pooling of coal produc-
tion and shipment.
transfer. as far as possible. the
movement o: fcoLstuns and other cx-
po-t comm moditics to Southern ports TO
relieve congestion in North Atlantic
ports.
Survey all government requirements
involving the movement OF raw ma
tcrials and manufactured products. SO
that accumulations on roads and In
terminals may he eliminated while
products arc awaiting shipment or cx-
port.
IiEE:P INDUSTRIAL r1.ANTS
FROM EAs1ERS SEARoAET,
Require. wherever possible. the build
inG OF war Industrial plants in ter
ritory ether than the Eastern scahoard.
The pooling plan was worked out
by the railroad heads some days ago,
and was formally approved by govern
ment officials 1T to-day's conference.
The government Representatives pres
cnt were Robert S. Lovctt,' director OF
priority OF transDortntion; Fuel Admin
is,rator Garfield. Food Administrator
Hoover. Chairman Hurley, OF the Ship
ping Soard; Edgar Il. Clarke. Of the
Interstate Commerce Commission. and
others. The plan will bc put into i'm
midiate effect.
Tho railroad situation has caused
considerable concern, not only among
government heads, but in railroad cir
cles as well. Despite the fact that the
roads arc moving more traffic than
they ever before carried, 1t has been
scon that the breaking point WAS near
In remarkably franle statement is
sued week ago, Fairfax Harrison
president Of the Southern Railway and
chairman Of the war board declared
that the roads would be unable to
handle during tho winter all the traf-
tic tho public might offer. At the
sainc time, Mr.. Harrison announced
that thc war board had recommended
to the government that Transportation
be denied to more than 500 commodi.
ties chased as noncssential during the
war. IA
FURTHER DRASTIC ACTION
IF THIS STEP FAILS
The recommendation regarding non-
essentials has not been acted on, buI
it is known that If to-day's move fails
to- bring tho relief hoped for, gov.
crnment9 officials arc ready to give j,
heed With industries idle for lack
ofscoal, industrial plants unable to OBJ
tain raw materials. and domestic con.
suners unable to obtain necessities
there is every disposition in govern
mentl cirelea to take this drastic &C.
ton IL other means fail.
in it's announcement tonight. ths
war board declares that congestion
cannot be relieved without radlca
measures. Concentration in the Ens
OF vast government and industrial ac.
tiyities. 1t says, has oyertaxcd the ca.
pactty Of all Eastern lines.