The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-01-19
McAdOO Decides To Use Pas
senger Engines for Freight.
Propose Cutting OF Half Pas
senger Service for = Days.
GETTING FUEL RELIEF IN EAST
Coal Reaching Ships Faster
Than 1t Has in Weeks.
But in West Only 20 to 40 Per
Cent Normal Freight Moving.

Washington. Jan ia steadily in
creasing. flow of coal to ships, homes
acC public utilities was reported 10
the fuel administration today as re-
suit of the second days enforcement
of the fuel restriction order Appar-
emily the railroad congestion had not
yet been much affected by the order
but milder weather conditions had I'M
proved he situation in the east ana at
the sarle time bad weather paraiyzed
ira fife again in the middle west
Business interests today seemed to
feel better toward the governments
action anI hundreds of kilograms
reached the White House and the fut
administration assuring the govern
Lent of cooperation and a willingness
to undergo sacrifices as patriotic
duty
Coal for Ships and Homes.
Coal was reported today reaching
the SeabOard in greater volume than
at any time in the last few weeks. The
movement, if kept up, it was declared
Wi make it possible to bunker and
stnd out all ships nov. held in port by
lack Of fuel. Homes and public utlli-
ii . were receiving supplies of fuel
diverted from the industries closed
down The diversion was delaying de-
livery and unloading and slowing up
the mines. Coal production for the
next few days probably will be far
below normal but fuel administration
officials eXpect it to increase as soon
as tAe flow of empties is under way.
The railroad situation in the mid
die west was SO serious that Secretary
McAdoo. director general OF the rail-
roads. decided to cut passenger train
schedules to release locomotives for
freight. 1t was suggested to Secre-
taiy McAdoo. that about half OF the
present passenger trains there be sus-
pended for two days. to release loco
no iVcs, etc.
At the same time, the railroad ad-
min!stration was rushing locomotives
out of repair shops and from rail-
roads in the west to help get trains
thru the heavy snow drifts in states
along the Ohio river. The railroads
OF The middle west were reported
moving only from 20 to 40 per cent
OF their normal freight
Wharf Congestion Still Bad.
Congestion on wharves along the
Atlantic seaboard, officials said will
continue until ships are bunkered and
set free The shipping board and the
war and navy departments turned
their attention to speeding up loading
ar. angements and perfecting d plan
for more efficiency in loading and un-
loading.
Heaters today won their appeal for
a modification of the closing order to
permit them to remain open on the
Monday holidays and close Tuesdays.
After requests from the shipping
pard, the fuel administration today
ruled that lumber mills, working on
emergency fleet contracts, are exempt
from the order, but at the same time it
refused to exempt a long list of in
dustries which government officials
wanted excepted because they are de-
clared to be working on war orders.
Reports of violations of the order
reached the fuel administration today.
These were turned over to the depart
ment of justice for investigation.
Relic in Indiana Field
Indianapolis. Jan. 19.-As a result
OF Fuel Administrator Garlield's or
der, considera BILE relief from the coal
shortage is already in sight for n
dianapois. Reports reaching here
late last night were that several hun
dred car loads of coal were moving to
indianapolis from the Indiana coal
fields the fuel having been diverted
from factories which were closed un-
der the administrator order.
Traffic congestion is being rapidly
cleared up in the state.
New England Observing Order.
Boston, Jan. 19.-New England in
dustries except those exempted, con-
tinued today to observe the federal
closing order with no reports of viola
tions.