The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-02-13
Eastern Lines Refuse to Accept
Freight for Seaboard.
Santa Fe Hardest Hit; Has
1000 Cars Tied Up.
FEAR OF U-BOATS THE CAUSE
Describe Condition in Chicago,
st. Louis as ssTerrific."
Immediate Result VIII Be
Slump of Food Prices.

Chicago, Feb. 13.-Refus;I of east
ern railroads to accept shipments
owing TO the submarine embargo, is
causing an almost unprecedented con-
gestion of loaded freight cars in west
ern terminals, according to officials
on various western trunk lines.
Steps were being t1ken here today
to relieve the situation here by adopt
ing the measures taken by eastern
roads. From the operating depart
ments of several of the western roads
went out orders to refuse shipments
billed to destinations east of Chicago
or the Atlantic seaboard. unless guar
antees of storage facilities were pre-
sented
That there are more than 10000
cars tied up in Chicago yards alone
| vas the statement of Chicago, Bur-
lington & Quincy officials According
t. II. E. Byron, vice president, the c.
L. & Q. alone has about 1000 cars on
it's hands. Many of these are from
other roads. however.
A similar condition exists on the
| Chicago, Milwaukee Il ST. Paul and
| the Big Four. Officials of the Big
| L cur stated that not single western
road was accepting shipments for the
east except upon special orders and
guarantees that such cars would be
given clearance.
More than 1000 cars loaded with
!. mber and cotton are being held in
| the Big Four yards, according to J.
| L Porterfield, general superintendent
| O. transportation of that line. In ad-
dition to these 500 are held at Indian
apolis and 2,400 at other Indiana and
western Pennsylvania points. East
f5ound shipping is at a standstiil
Might Use Cars for Fuel.
| ., Warm weather ard the release OF
re ling stock now used in the trans
portation of fuel is the only hope for
immediate relief, traffic officials
agree. Even with warmer weather
the outlook is not very encouraging
they say. unless warehouse facilities
become more accessible.
10000 Cars Tied Up in Chicago.
In Chicago yards, according to Of
ficials of the Rock Island, there are
! $50 of their loaded cars consigned
to the Atlantic seaboard from points
on the Rock Island alone. Most n
these Contain grain for export. Eastern
roads will not handle them until
swift clearance is assured. At other
| Rock Island terminals are 700 addi-
tional cars.
Northwestern officials also admit
| that they are facing a problem il
keeping their rolling stock moving to-
wards the east and in supplying emp J
cars to western shippers.
| Kansas City and ST. Louis report
traffic conditions there are terrific.
Only one road out of st. Louis is Civ
ing thru bills to the seaboard. Ship
pers are up in aims, but thus fax
have secured no relief.
Santa F'e in Bad Shape.
The Kansas City shippers describe
the situation as the worst in history
| of the city. The Santa Fee railroad
alone is said to have l 900 cars tied ur
in it's yards waiting to be delivered
to eastern points. The freight tieG
up consists mostly of grain, hay, alfal-
| ia meal and lumber. The Santa F't
probably is the worst hit, because OF
its being the largest line tapping the
middle and far western markets. 9th
err roads entering Kansas City also re
port great difficulty in getting cars tt
seaboard destinations.
| 1t is explained that the German
submarine embargo is holding good:
to the limit of eastern storage and n:
| a result eastern roads are unable tt
unload cars.
''Silycr Lining for Consumer
! With warmer weather predicted anC
q continued embargo on shipment.
east, Chicago commissioner look fol
a uecHne IN prices on IoOdStuI1S. INT
| inevitable result, they point out, will
be a flooding of western markets will
perishable and non-perishable food
stuffs. The uncertainty of the inter.
national political situation will pre-
vent spectators from. holding on OIL
| cornering the market and farmers are
loath to overlook the present oppor.
tunity for securing top figures fol
| their produce.
On the other hand. the effects in the
east would be exactly the converse
While the bottom would be dropping
out in the west prices would soar a
eastern cities. Even If the embargo
should be lifted, the market would
not be effected to any great extent fol
som etinIe dealers say, because the ma
jOrity of the traffic released would
be consigned to waiting bottoms fol