Arizona republican., 1917-02-22
MISSISSIPPI To
MAINE IS CAR
SH0RTAGEFELT. 7.
TRepublican A. p. leased Wirel

Republican A. p. Leased Wirel
WASHINGTON, Feb. 2l.-Drastic
measures of precaution were adopted
today by the chief railroads of the
east to meet varying emergency needs
for coal and foodstuffs from the Miss
issippi river to Maine, due to the
acute shortage and congestion Of
freight cars
Chief of these measures was the dis
patch of rush orders to all railroads
concerned for the prompt transporta-
ton of gas, coal and coke to IS towns
and cities in the middle west where it
was announced possible interruption"
of light, heat and power service would
result unless the shortage was relieved
at once.
The shortage was said to be most
acute at Indianapolis, where the coal
supply for gas was reported to be only
three days ahead of requirements. Chi
cago's 100000 ton emergency store of
gas coke has been cut to 23, 900 tons,
barely sufficient for three weeks sup
ply, although Chicago was said to be
better supplied than any other city on
the list.
The interstate commerce commission
is working to meet the situation in CO.
operation with the railroad men A
l
Chicago board of trade appealing for
relief and asserting that riots would
result unless an embargo were placed
Immediately on all products out of
Chicago except fuel and foodstuffs,
stirred up considerable Indignation at
the commission and drew a prompt
reply. Assertions in the message were
declared erroneous" by the commits
sion insofar as they reflected upon the
steps taken by the commission to re-
lieve the situation at Chicago.
Commissioner McChord. replying to
a portion of the telegram not made
public, which apparently charged that
he had ruled Chicago could not expect
relief from the commission, declared
the telegram contained many state
ments which are not true"
The portion of the dispatch refer
ring to possible food riots was not spe-
officially answered and officials de-
clined to comment on it. Members of
the commission are understood how
ever, to regard the situation as de-
picted by Mr. Griffin as highly i'm
probable. Commissioners declined al
so to comment upon dispatches from
Chicago indicating that the Chicago
board of trade might request President
Wilson and congress to take the en-
tire car shortage and congestion sit
uation out of the commissions hands.
Data compiled by the American
Railway Association was made public
showing appreciable diminution at
New York, Philadelphia, Boston and
Baltimore of the number of cars of eX-
port freight on hand and the number
of bushels of wheat held in elevators
and cars awaiting ocean transporta
ton. Officials of the association de-
clared that the situation had improved
perceptibly within the last fortnight
and that while the pinch probably
would be felt here and there in GER
tain commodities, there was little like
lihood of a general foodstuffs or fuel
shortage in the east. The car short
age is said to be less acute than it
was a year ago.
Announcement that towns and cities
in the middle west were threatened
with a suspension of operations of
their light heat and power plant be-
cause of a shortage of coal and coke
came with unexpected force and sur
prise at a time when the situation was
apparently clearing in other quarters.
The threatened foodstuffs shortage in
New England and the larger eastern
cities was believed safely past the cri-
sis and the roads were concentrating
| their Efforts tONdTu Stripping tOh-
| gested yards of empties, dispatchlnS
them west and otherwise reducing the
congestion in the east.
| "Tn relieve the critical situation.
reads the associations statement, the
association through its commission on
! car shortage, has requested all rail-
roads to take such steps as may be
i necessary to facilitate the prompt
handling of shipments of gas coal
for use in gas benches and generators
/ for gas companies serving the public
| They have been asked to give ship
ments consigned to gas companies pre-
ferred handling where necessary to
maintain the service of such compa-
nies. modifying any embargo that may
be in effect to permit such shipments
| to go forward.
AS such a request in railroad circles
| is considered tantamount to de-
mand, interstate commerce commission
officials believe that the situation al
the affected towns and cities will be
quickly relieved.
Investigators of the commission have
been sent to virtually every railroad
yard of any size in the east and middle
Continued on Page Two)