New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-29
Hoover Favors
Water Route for
Food Transport
Declares Pacihc-to-Atlantic
Plan Would Relieve
Railway Congestion

Water transportation for foodstuffs
coming from Pacific TO Atlantic ports,
so far as the shipping facilities Of the
country will permit, is to be en-
couraged by the National Food Admin
istration. according to statements made
by Herbert c. Hoover. who made
brief visit TO New York City yester-
day.
The National Food Administrator
came here to confer with railroad and
shipping men with view TO relieving
the railroad congestion in moving food
supplies. Mr.. Hoover also conferred
with officials Of the United States
Grain Corporation and the Federal
Food Board.
In his talk with the railroad men
Mr.. Hoover pointed out the grave ditii-
cuties in transporting freight from
the interior Of the country 10 New
York City and other cities on the At
lantic Coast. The railroads were tied
up, he said. till the government was
forced TO take them over. lie expressed
hope that freight might be released
all along the line now that the roads
have passed into Federal control.
Water transportation. he said, would
solve not only the railroad problem, II
ships could be spared, but would also
relieve the congested railroad terminals
Of the Eastern cities. now taxed beyond
their capacity. Practically all food
supplies from the West, he said. could
be sent to Western coast ports and
shipped from there, via the canal, 10
New York and other cities.
Work Here Satisfactory
Mr. Hoover expressed himself as par
ticuiarIv well pleased with the head.
wav being made by the Federal Food
Roard here. He remarked that 1t was
not fair to expect too radical results
from an official body recently organ
lied for such a gigantic task as con
trolling the food situation IN New lot"
CITY with such limited powers a. m
vested in the board. .,.
Asked about price fixing legislation
Mr.. Hoover said this was matter loi
each individual state to solve. -"
thought state legislatures would per
hans do better to solve the food price
problems according to the peculiar
needs Of each commonwealth. Mr
Hoover said that railroad and terminal
congestion was largely responsible Tor
food shortages. and expressed the nope
that under Federal control the ralIroa'
situation would be improved.
The Federal Food Board remained m
session nearly all of yesterday, making
appointments of deputy county FOOD
administrators throughout the state
and completing its organization IN
other ways. The board also listened
to the problems of produce and rail
road men who came 20 consult about
the congestion along the waterfront.
Produce Men Appeal
The produce men appealed to the
board some time ago TO intercede with
the Pennsylvania and other roads that
have threatened 10 unload potatoes and
other perishable vegetables at Jersey
terminals instead of lghtering such
freight 20 piers in Manhattan. The
railroad representative told the board
that larger terminal facilities were an
absolute necessity and would have -
be constructed or New York City termi-
nails would have to be moved to Jersey
Members of the Federal Food Board
suggested that the railroad and produce
trade representatives appoint COM
mittee to study the engineering prob
lens involved and report TO the board.