The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-17
Railroads Are Reported to Be Prepared to Meet Situ- ation With Men Already Enlisted for Service BIRMINGHAM HAS ENOUGH FOOD FOR
 ABOUT ONE MONTH Big Industries Will Be Seri- ously Affected Because They Will Be Unable
 to Move Heavy
 Products
"The trains will run.v

hc NnA EuAas
 This terse declaration was that of Birming ham railroad officials in face of general strike that has been called by the four brotherhoods. While they scientifically refused to state what measures had been taken, they admit that the railroads are not dawdIing at this hour when the situ- ation is critical.
 It is rumored that the railroads, in preparing for the strike last September, secured the services of men, with rail- in event the trainmen determined to en- force by crippling the traffic of the United States their demands for changes which are tantamount to 25 per cent increase in salary. .
 DOUBT ABOUT NUMBER
 As to how many men have been secured optionally by the railroads there is great doubt. The railroad officials will not di- vulge the slightest detail of their plans, which were made to keep the trains run ming despite a strike. But is is conceded that 1t would not be possible to run immediately the usual number of trains
 The railroad officials were hopeful that vent strike by the four brotherhoods. The situation is far more critical, they point out, than 1t was last September, when the trainmen threatened to walk out. The recent bad weather in the north, coupled with the car shortage and the congestion at the eastern ports, has caused a shortage of food and fuel of the larger cities, there is an actual shortage of foodstuffs and the cities are depending for food upon what the rail- roads bring each day In short, it is sort of hand-to-mouth existence.
 Tn event of a strike, it is admitted that this traffic would be paraIyzed and food famine is not considered improbable.
 It would take the country months to recover from strike of one single day during which there was no movement of the freight trains
 CALLED PROGRESSIVE STRIKE
 The nature of the strike called is pro- gressive, and it is not known definitely when the Birmingham lines would be af- fected. The adoption of this plan, the of forcing an agreement. They point out that every day the strike will ex- tend to certain lines. It is apparently the desire of the brotherhoods to demon strate their strength and gain their de- mands before all lines have been af- fected.
 The food situation in Birmingham is such that a strike of one month might be endured.
 The packing companies report that there is a sufficient amount of meats, with dried meats included, to supply Birmingham for three weeks.
 The wholesale grocery companies dif- fer somewhat in their opinions of how seriously strike would affect the resi- dents of the city. The supply of coffee and sugar, they concede would be dimin- ished within several days, but there is a sufficient amount of groceries and canned goods to last fully month.
 By resorting to the use of motor cars and other wagons 1t would be possible to get a certain amount of produce from the country and some vegetables.
 EFFECT ON BIG INDUSTRIES
 As to how seriously a strike would af- feet the big industries in Birmingham, there is some doubt.
 The Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad company has a railroad of its own that can supply it with the necessary raw materials to continue it's operation. There Is no doubt but that it would be impos- sible to haul pig iron, coal. steel and other tonnages from the city to con- signees for all energies would be applied to moving the perishable freight, food stuffs, passengers and mail.
 The Woodward Iron company and the Republic Iron and Steel company have railroads that would keep them running for awhile, but the Sloss-Sheffield Steel and Iron company would be crippled to q rather material extent. As long as ma terials may be gotten, the iron companies state that they will operate and store the output.
 The coal mines which are generally situated on railroad lines which will be affected by the strike are in serious plight Some of the operators stated that they would continue operations and allow tho o1oI fo oooryn1tJoto Sny,,a oF fba