Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-01-23

NOlillliuC opSNidl1lnS upOIl SOdl iOi
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 ov-
ems.
Embargo Temporary
This embargo is a temporary
one. 1t should last only few days
IL the weather moderates."
The practical effect of this order
will not greatly change conditions
of the last few days, it was stated by
railroad administration officials.
since local embargoes already have
been declared by many eastern rail-
roads. These have been made on the
initiative of individual railroads,
with the general approval of Mr..
Smith. In many cases also an en-
barge virtually was in effect because
the severe weather conditions pre-
vented railroads from supplying cars
to shippers.
An embargo on everything but
food, fuel and munitions has been
under consideration for several days.
Up to last night, however, the dt-
rector general was not favorable to
a general embargo, believing that
railroads soon would be able to move
the entire volume of accumulated
freight. This hope was shattered
last night by the continuation OF
bad weather and snow almost every.
where east of the Mississippi and by
the zconsequent breakdown of loco
motives and slower movement of
coal and food shipments.
Coal Situation Acute
A threatened serious coal short
age in New York also is said to have
he
Indications to-day were that hard
weather would continue throughout
most of the week and railroad OFF,
cials intimated that they looked for
little improvement in the tranBpor-
tation before Saturday.
Early reports showed that with
out the embargo order a deluge OF
traffic might have been expected by
tomorrow as a result of the re
opening of manufacturing plants al
ter the five-day suspension period.
Many industries, it was expected,
would continue to operate on partial
time as a result of the embargo
order to-day. This will tend to save
coal further for domestic use and
bunkering of ships.
Fuel OfIiciaIs Pleased
Fuel Administration officials were
pleased with the embargo. The
Pennsylvania railroad carries about
is per cent of the bituminous coal
from the Appalachian district. Nov
ing nothing but coal, food and es-
sentlaI war freight, officials declar-
ed the Pennsylvania would be able
to supply coal Immediately to terri
tory short all the winter.
diversion of coal shipments to
the preferred list of consum ers, ships
and strictly war industries, fuel ad-
ministration officials say, have i'm
proved the coal situation material
"The embargo" said DR.. Garfield,
will operate to aid materially the
efforts of the fuel administration in
Fastening the movement of coal on
tbe preference list. Under the clos
ing order fuel will still be shipped
to the list of preferred consumers
before industry generally receives its
supply.
AFTER this preferred list has been
cared for, the fuel administration in
each locality will endeavor to sup
pIy these concerns whose operations
have ben listed by the departments
of the government as most necessary
TO the conduct of the war"
Local officials of the fuel admin
istration were instructed to-day to
see that the preferential list was
supplied. This, in effect, denies, as
long as the order is operative, the
use of coal to a large extent by the
less essential industries inasmuch
as the railroads cannot transport
enough to supply all needs.