Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-01-02

William G. McAdoo, director general Of
railroads, has directed Hale Holden. a
member OF his newly appointed advisory
board. to investigate the freight yard jam
in Washington, with special reference to
the coal situation in the capital
Mr.. McAdoo turned over to Mr.. Holden
District Commissioners committee, head
ed by r. P. Andrews, regarding the con-
gested freight yards here and delays in
essential shipments.
Mr.. Holden's first act today was to in
struct the car service commission, created
by the former railroads war board, to
assign as many men as necessary for q
speedy examination into conditions here
and report to him.
Mr.. Ho1den's Statement.
Pending this report" Mr. Holden
stated today. IT can take no further
steps. I am informed that the diff
Guilty here Is not only one relating to
railroads. but to drayage and truckage.
To what extent the latter problem is
concerned with the reported delays of
freight and congestion cannot say
until receive a report on the matter"
Charles J. Columbus. secretary Of the
Commissioner committee on freight
congestion. talked with Mr. Holden to-
day. Mr.. Columbus invited MI. Holden
to attend the dinner meeting Of the
Retail Merchants Association at $50
o'clock this evening at the Commercial
Club, where the general freight prob
Mr.. Holden accepted. The merchants
organization was the body which In
itiated the effort hero to relieve the
traffic tie-up In the city's freight yards.
Coal Distribution Made Special.
Inasmuch as the director general Of
railways intends to direct Immediate
attention to distribution Of coal. Mr..
Hoiden's Inquiry into conditions here
VIII bear largely on coal. Records are
available for him at the fuel admins
tratfon Of the amount OF coal received
Cation along this line VIM 5. concerned rne
with its distribution to dealers ana to
buyers.
Reasons Given for Inquiry.
Mr.. McAdoo designated one OF his nve
aids to look into the washington situa-
tion 1t was stated at the director gem
realized the situation in WASHINGTON il
worse than in other cities, and because
II Is realized that the center Of the ma
tons war activities should be afforded
sAS DSot oPPoA luuity pOSSlDle Tor eft1Cfept
handling Of freight Likewise il il
recognized that both the government and
contractors working for the government
form large portion of; the consignees
IN washington. and the charge has been
made that the contractors are among the
worst offenders in delaying the unload
ing Of cars.
Another point to be covered by the
car service commissions report TO Mr..
Holden will be the capacity Of freight
yards and storage warehouses to han
die the freight, assuming that il
reaches Washington promptly and is
unioaded Immediately. 1t Is possible
that the track and warehouse faciIi-
ties here are not adequate to meet the
greatly increasing consignments for
this city. even with efiicient transpor-
tation and delivery.
Is Railway President.
Mr.. Holden was selected to lool, into
the situation here because he Is in
charge OF general operating matters
under the director generals organtza-
ton. He 10 president Of the Burling-
ton railroad. and is known as one Of
the best operating executives In the
country. He also Just now is in charge
of the machinery built up by the for
mer railroads war board, which re-
signed a few days ago. and thus is
in touch with the car service commits
sion and its experts, who were held
fepouora rfIv ,,pfH MoAaoa