Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-01-25
EASTERN ROADS ARE
CLOSED To SPEED UP
MOVEMENT OF COAL
Pennsylvania, B, & 0, and
Reading Allowed to Haul
Nothing but Food Fuel and
War Supplies

WASHINGTON, Jan. 23.-An embargo
on all freight except food, fuel and war
munitions on the Pennsylvania lines
east of Pittsburg; Baltimore and Ohio
east of the Ohio river. and the Phila-
delphia and Reading. was authorized 20
day by Director General McAdoo.
The action was taken on recommen-
dation of A. II. Smith, assistant direc-
tor general in charge of transportation
in the east. No reference was made TO
the recommendation for an embargo sub
mitted last night by Fuel Administra-
tor Garfield. The embargo is temporary
and is expected to last only few days.
The purpose of the embargo is to
enable those lines, which are the
heaviest bituminous coal carriers, to
continue specializing upon coal for the
double purpose of supplying the acute
conditions in New England and the
harbor of New York and elsewhere.
and in the provision of empty cars for
mines and coke ovens, said the an
nouncement of the railroad administra-
ton.
The practical effect of this order will
not greatly change conditions of the last
few days, it was stated by railroad ad-
ministration officials since local en-
bargoes already have been declared by
many eastern railroads. These have
been made on the initiative of individ-
ual roads. In many cases also, an en-
barge practically was in effect because
severe weather conditions prevented
railroads from supplying cars to ship
pers.
Considered Several Days
An embargo on everything but food,
fuel and munitions has been under con-
sideration for several days. Up to last
night, however, Director General Nc
Adoo was not favorable to a general
embargo, believing that railroads would
be soon able to move the entire volume
of accumulated freight. This hope was
shattered by the continuation of bad
weather and snow almost everywhere
east of the Mississippi and by the con-
seduent breakdown of locomotives and
slower movement of coal and food ship
ments A threatened serious coal short
age in New York also is said to have
FASTENED the decision.
Indications today were that hard
weather would continue through most
Of the week and railroad administration
officials intimated that they looked for
little Improvement in the transportation
situation before Saturday.
Early reports showed that without
the embargo order a deluge of traffic
might have been expected by tomorrow
as a result of the reopening OF manu-
featuring plants after the five-day sus-
pension period. Many Industries, it was
expected, would continue to operate on
partial time as result OF the embargo
order today. This will tend to save coal
further for domestic use and bunkering
of ships.
Ship Building Delayed
One thousand cars of steel plates,
practically al lof which have been ir
transit since December 20 and before, are
storm-bound. Trace of hundreds of the
cars have been lost by traffic men of
the shipping board. Meanwhile, steel
supplies in the construction yards are
diminishing rapidly.
In nearly all of the seventeen ship
building yards where steel ships are I'M
der construction, some men are idle, as
a result of cold and lack of material.
In these circumstances the fuel ad-
ministration had directly appealed tc
McAdoo to call for general embargo
on all freight shipment aside from that
of vital war supplies and fuel.
Although the priorities section of the
Garfield order, covering preferential
coal shipments are still effective and
will remain so until otherwise ordered,
no great Roadway can be made unless
the rails are relieved of thousands of
cars of unessential freight, Administra-
tor Garfield believes.
Another Suspension
Continued cold weather today brought
with it reports of critical suffering in
many communities and a situation at
some points worse than that which ex-
listed before the Garfield order went into
effect five days ago. The only marked
relief was that accorded ships al num-
Der of ports. Bunkering was materially
increased during the industrial suspen-
sion.
Further suspension orders are in pros
pect. 1t is pointed out that Washing
toms birthday falls on Friday, February
b. with Saturday, a half holiday, and
Sunday and Monday voorhees, days any
how. Urgent requests to industry and
business to close entirely on these four
days would serve to give another breath
ing wspell at what is the usually bad
weather zenith in the east.
Also Lincoln's birthday falls on Tues
day, February IL, and a five day sus-
pension might be brought about then
with less annoyance than the recent one,
II is suggested. Both of these dates
are being considered as timely for
launching another general coal restrlc-
ton order.
The railroad administration is wait
ing for an expression from the country.
IF the demand is insistent though, Direc-
tor General McAdoo may take drastic
steps Immediately to pull the railroad
system out from under the mass of
freight piled UP at every point
zoo New Locomotives
Addition of 200 locomotives from
Baldwin shops within thirty days will
help the situation, the railroad admin
istration declared.
These locomotives were built for
European service but cannot be shipped
now because of lack of tonnage and will
be drafted into domestic service until
they can be sent abroad.
Passenger service may be taken from
some lines entirely and the trackage and
rolling stock devoted to freight needs
| Such action would accomplish much or
roads situated as the Pennsylvania
which feeds large industrial centers
| Weather continued to hamper the ma
tionaI railroad today but Director Gen
| eral McAdoo declared that he was con-
6dent of success in the face of heavy
| odds.
Zoning of coal shipments in accord
ance with the Peabody plan whereby
coal would be held for consumption In
| the vicinity where it is mined is q prob