New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-26
Rules for Eastern Lines
Issued From Wash
ington
To Extend System
Throughout Country
Joint Use of Terminals and
Other Facilities Is
Enjoined
ISfnf Correspondence

tho whole country, the coordination
and pooling of railroad resources al
ready formally adopted n the East, are
essential if the railroads are to sue
ce.sfully meet the heavy transportation
demands TO be placed on them this win
TER according 10 a statement issued by
he Railroads War Board to-day.
Wherever possible railroads are d.
noted TO arrange for common use of
terminals and facilities, to tide over
threatening emergencies Ihey are
aiso told. wherever transportation can
5o conserved. to avoid the use OF UNI
7casonably circuitous routes, carefully
avoiding, however, Overlooking direct
routes
Another important instruction Is:
aIenethen passenger and fast freight
.-sin schedules during the winter, 10
,romot. punctuality, and avoid demon
siization of traffic that invariably tol-
lows failure of regular trains to make
their schedules. IT,
sill further instructions are TO en-
courage the use of motor trucks ana CO.
onsration with trolley lines for nam
ding short haul freight" and TO en-
lie, The services Of water transporta-
ton lines IN all reasonable and prac-
In order to avoid congestion at sea-
,orts and regional gateways, the board
advises the prompt use of embargoes,
which. il SAYS, should be established
immediately on signs o. trouble, with
ont waiting, as has frequently been
anne. until congestion has actually oc-
cured. An ounce of prevention Is
worth not one but many POUNDS OF
cure" ..u...
SStudy thoroughly al priority and
o,ber governmental orCers issued TO
,,omote movement of .'aific and use
~ eouipment. comply cheerfuly and
nromptly Herewith, and adopt. the same
attitude toward the orde' s OF the Com-
mission on Car Service.
"Redouble efforts to: (a) increase
the loads per car Of bulk gram ana
other commodities, much OF when sun
moves in light loads; (b) Expedite car
movements through yards and terml-
mails: (c) Check UP and enforce de-
murrage rules rigidly; I'D Cneck up
and eliminate cross-hsul Of common
ties.
SCurtail reconsignment privileges in
every possible way.
T1crease lading in L. c. L. merchan.
disc cars by establishing Sailing days,
a practice used with great success Dy
some Of our constituents.
Increase fuel economy by closer IN
spection of firing practice ana by eN-
tending the use of superheated steam
feed-water heaters, etc. -.
"Review switching service at terml-
nails, and prescribe special movements
so as 10 cut out all unnecessary deten-
ton Of cars.
"Start a systematic, vigorous cam
paign 70 provide universal uterine
way-billing, a study OF the operation OIL
which on one large system conVlnces US
viii result not only in a large money
saving, but in saving twelve to eighteen
hour time on cars, and the continuous
.ervices of one switch engine handling
setbacks account no billing at each
representative terminal.
In explaining the necessity Tor IN
creased railroad operating eihclecy' MI
Harrison says: -,
"We are approaching the winter with
spprehensions Of possible congestion Oh
our railroads, Notwithstanding all thaI
has been accomplished by the hearty CO.
operation with US Of government agen-
cies, shippers and the general public IN
increasing their efficient operation.
"Our reports show that in the second
quarter Of 1917 each locomotive handled
ISL per cent and each freight car lo.3
per cent more revenue ton miles than
IN the corresponding period IN 1916,
equivalent 20 the addition Of 4,9So loco
motives and 361 900 freight cars TO the
equipment Of the latter year.
while the committee gratefully &C.
cord credit for this showing 10 the CO.
operative efforts Of the carriers and the
public, il considers il necessary TO dI-
rect attention 10 the extraordinary ad-
ditional amount of transportation that
the carriers will be called on TO supply
this winter through the operation Of
conditions that have developed since
our entry into war, the pressure from
which is constantly and rapidly increas-
ing in intensity.
"The Communicating Of ships en-
gaged in Atlantic and Pacific coast
wise trade and o. seaROing tugs plying
between Newport News and New k2g-
land points throws on the railroads the
burden o. Transporting much of the
New England coal and cotton supply
that formerly moved b. water.
Many more troops, in addition TO
100000 already moved, will have 20 be
transported. and al least $500 carloads
Of supplies for their use must be
handled daily this winter. Proper re-
spouse % these demands and TO the
almost unlimited calls for fuel from
all parts Of our country will require
uoremitt!ng effort.
IT 10 evident, therefore, that, how
ever heartily the public has already re-
tpondcd - our requests for CO.
Operation. additional and most strenu-
ols cndcavOr must be made, both by
p and b. them. ~. overcome the stress
4" winter weather, OvcrwOrkcd plant
an3 dcDief.Or u forces through calls
70 tle fal and designations 20 accept
employment in skipyards and mum
Nols factories.
The railroads generally are very
'nort-handed, some % our constituents
reporting d net shortage Of l2H per
cent In the number and n much larger
Percentage u los boo the efficiency OF
~ employees, because 81 the necessity
81 filling vacancies with unskiilcd and
inexperienced men. We recognize that
eysry ons ia doing bic best, in trying
condition.. 10 help his country WIN
'te var, but n insupcrabie difbeoities
loud ui.o 40 prevent as from giving
public n. GOOD .cryitc as we desire
.lk e.nr railroad executive 20
He< r. c'raf 4hs vc failed ard % re-
l.e public 20 continue 20 eher.
rae palence and tolerance that
Iagr heretofore shown"
N u n