Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-05-15
RAILROADS GET TOGETHER
TO MEET WAR PROBLEMS
Representatives Of All Lines Enter
Ing Richmond Named on Ex-
ccutivc Committee.
EXTENDED CONFERENCE HELD
Will Be Ready to Meet Amy Extraor-
binary Demands Of Government
Service-Tiow Shippers Can Aid
In Solving Cur Shortage.

Following an extended conference
OF representatives of tho transporta-
ton departments OF the five railroads
entering Richmond. when every phase
OF tho freight problem was discuss
cd. AS we'll as the part the railroads
or this country Will take in prosccut-
ing tho war with Germany, IL special
local committee for tho handling of
all freight problems. consisting Of rep
rescntatives from every railroad. was
organized yesterday afternoon. This
committee. which is similar to like
organizations now being formed in
every principal railroad center in the
country. will receive orders in some
matters from Il special car service
committee of the American Hallway
Association.
The cemmittcc. OF which w. ID. Duke.
general superintendent Of the Rich
mond. fredericksburg and Potomac
Railroad. is chairman, is composed OF
w L. Booth. superintendent OF
freight transportation of the Chcsa-
pcakc and Ohio: G. r.. Hix. supern-
tcndent OF transportation OF the Sea-
board Air Line. with headquarters In
Portsmouth,: G.. 6. Arthur. division
superintendent Of the Southern: T. +.
Laird. division superintendent of the
superintendent Of transportation of
the Richmond Fredericksburg and
Potomac.
FIRST MEETING OF COMMITTEE
TO III HELD ON THURSDAY
With the exception OF Mr.. IIix. ev-
cry member OF the committee IS a
Richmond man. For this reason in
selecting the committee those behind
the move named {. IL. Parker Of
Portsmouth. and 7. NJ Foster. tcrmin-
al master OF the SeabOard in Rich
mond. IA alternates for Mr.. II!x.
Division Superintendent, Knapp. OF the
Chesapeake and Ohio. was selected as
tho alternate Mr.. Booth
Mr.. Duke announced last night that
the first meeting OF the committee.
when many general matters will be
taken up. would be held Thursday a.
noon at the Byrd Street Station, and
that in the future meetings would be
held twice every week. These con-
fcrcnccs Will probably be held on
Mondays and Thursdays but In event
that any matter demanding immediate
action develops a meeting OF the com
mittec viii be called at once.
Tho committee will connnc its work
TO large extent 10 solving local
freight problems. but win probably
be instrumental in assisting any move
rncnt for the Improvement OF Transport
tation facilities for the Federal gov
eminent in war times. 1t Is expected
that orders OF the car service commit
tee OF the American Railway Associa
ton. OF Washington. which handles
AL frcieh; traffic problems. viii be
given the local committee.
PLEDGE UTMOST Cooper ALTON
'TO MEET TUE SITUATION
officials attending the conference
yesterday pledged themselves TO the
utmost cooperation on their part with
each other and with the general pub
lie that the greatest efficiency in trans
portation he realized. II IL the plan
or the committee TO secure the maxi
mum service out OF the present railroad
equipment Of the railroads, with the
cooperation OF the shippers. The com
mittcc viii also discuss cmbargocs.
should the freight situation reach SO
contested "a state. but the actual work
OF putting IN force such restraining
measures will be LEFT entirely with
tho individual railroads.
While railroad officials said ycster-
day that they believed Richmond had
been fortunate for some time. and far
better OF under existing conditions
than many sections OF the country.
they urged shippers 10 the utmost en-
deavor in loading and unloading cars
quickly. Conditions are. and have been
for some time, extremely serious in
the North and East and in New Eng
land. but local shippers in only a few
lines have been affected by the en-
bargocs declared agains; such points.
The local railroads only declined ship
ments when they would not be accept
cd by connecting lines
HOW SHIPPERS CAN HELP
SOLVE CAR SHORTAGE
shippers by packing their cars TO
capacity. thereby moving their ship
mentS with fewer cars. and by rclcas
Ing the ears quickly possible
can be OF great help. railroad men
said. They also pointed out the fact
that II would be advantageous for
shippers to increase their warehouse
facilities instead of using freight cars
for such q purpose. by increasing the
efficiency % per cent, II was stated,
and allowing that percentage OF cars
turned loose at once. IL would mean
about 100000 additional cars for the
railroads of the country.
The railroads will also cooperate
with each other in loaning equipment
TO those hard pressed temporarily. and
in every other way possible.