Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-02-22
ROADS OEMORAl1tD
BLAME RAILWAYS FOR PANIC
NOW STIRRING ENTIRE NATION
CONGRESS STIRRED TO Ac-
TION AND MAY TAKE DRASTIC
STEPS.
By John Edwin Nevin.
international News Service Cores


pondent}
Washington, d. c.. Feb. 22.-Far
mere serious than the war menace
seemed the situation confronting the
United States today because OF the
great shortage of foodstuffs and fuel.
officials appeared powerless to find
remedy.
President Wilson has before him
reports of the efforts that are being
made by the Interstate Commerce
Commission and the railroad Of the
nation to end the freight blockade. He
also was endeavoring to convince con-
gressional leaders of the urgent neces-
sity of a large appropriation to per-
nit rela probe of the reasons behind
the near famine and of the allegations
that one of the real reasons was
criminal conspiracy In certain quar-
ters. Other branches Of the govern
ment were moving. but very, very
slowly to get action.
The railways of the country are
demoralized. The train service is very
bad Many reasons are assigned for
this and the experts Of the Interstate
Commerce Commission are working to
bring order out of chaos. But there
is known to be 29,705 loaded freight
cars tied up at the big eastern ter
minals, while all yards are congested
with empties which are piled up on
remote sidings instead Of being start
ed to the supply points. And In this
connection officials point out that large
quantities Of old equipment were re-.
tired by the railroads during the last
fifteen months and only fractional
part of it replaced. The reason was
the desire to keep down expenses to
the lowest possible point
As result of the actual suffering
in nearly all of the large cities OF the
country, demands for food embargo
which will prevent the exporting OF
food supplies to Europe are pouring in
on all government departments. In
almost every instance 1t is claimed
that as a result of the heavy exports
that have been permitted and still are
going on, the visible supply Of food
for the United States already is be.
low the danger mark. These figures
are being investigated by the experts
of the department Of agriculture.
1t is believed certain that new
demand for food embargo will be-
come very much in evidence In con.
gress during the next few days.
1t is not likely, however, that any
resolution to put 1t into effect will
4 prevail The President is said to be
opposed to the plan and would be
able to kill it with the aid Of the rur.
al representations in both branches.
That certain organizations affiliated
with the Industrial Workers OF the
World are seizing upon the present
serious situation to make propaganda
for their members Is we'll known here.
The leaders are being watched. But
officials in the department OF justice
frankly say they fear serious riOt1ng
and possible bomb outrages II the sit
uation is not controlled with the most
drastic methods
Rumors of foreign intrigue In the
present crisis are being carefully In
vestigated by the special agents Of the
secret service and the Department OF
Justice. These investigations touch
Philadelphia, New York, Jersey City
and Chicago. Their scope Ia careful
ly guarded and all information is re
, fused
, One of the most serious features o.
the situation reflected here is the con
stant increases of prices now going on
This especially Is so In the case o
vegetables The poor of the big citie'
have been unable to afford much mea
for long time past, but they hav'
been able to live fairly well on tn
i supply Of vegetables. Now this II
p. changed and IT is impossible for IN
: poor to get vegetables in any wher'
,r near sufficient quantities
p, Senate and House leaders quiet.
=, discussed the situation today and pos
90 sibe remedies.
, There was a serious difference 0
10 opinion as to what could be done TIT
NJ general sentiment was to blame TN
p. railroads and the spectators, Sue
10 gestions that the Interstate Com
o. merce Commission be enlarged AM
at given drastic powers were freely dis
cussed but no decision was reached
Speaker Champ Clark received an ar
peal from New York women to use M
influence to have congress effectivel
probe the situation and back up tn
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