Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-01-06
M 'ADOO CUTS Off
PASSENGER TRAINS
Orders 20 Per Cent Decrease in
Through Traffic on All
Eastern Roads.
HASTENS FREIGHT SHIPMENTS
Locomotives and Crews Freed to
Facilitate Movement of Coal
and Other Necessities.
lRy Associated Freq. !

li3y Associated Press. '
WASHINGTON, January 30 free
locomotives and crews for the more
important freight transportation. -
per cent of the through passenger
trains on the Eastern railroads will be
discontinued tomorrow by approval OF
Dircctor-Gencral McAdoo. The running
schedule OK others will be reduced to
lover speed 70 facilitate the movement
OF freight trains.
This policy. announced tonight by
tho director general. will be gradually
extended to affect train service through
out the country. Fast trains between
New York and Chicago and st. Louis
and between Chicago and Southern and
Western points probably Will be the
next to be affected. Individual rail-
roads will take the initiative in sug
Ecstins curtailments. but these will be
approved by tho director-general In
most cases.
In approving new passenger sched-
ules to-day. MIR. McAdoo ordered num-
bcr Of notifications resulting in reten-
ton Of more parlor cars than the rail-
roads had planned.
Mr.. McAdoo appealed 10 the public
in statement tonight to refrain from
travel as much as possible. but prom
ised that no commutcr trains or others
necessary for proper main ntcnance OF
business life in cities will be elimi-
mated.
Congress next week will take up the
railroad bills introduced yesterday fol-
lowing Pr ,sident Wilson's message on
government operation. and discussion
to-day among members of both houses
af
opinion over whether government con-
troll should extend only for definite
period after the end of :he war, or in
definitely until Congress orders other
wise.
COAL GOES FORWARD
AHEAD OF OTHER FREIGHT
Coal continued to 80 forward to-day
ahead of other freight. n answer 10
number Of inquiries from coal op-
orators and de,lcrs concerning the
status of former priority orders. Fuel
Administrator Garfield telegraphed this
explanations:
"By direction of Director-Generai
McAdoo all priority orders heretofore
issued with respect to transportation
have been suspended and no further
prioritics may be claimed thereunder.
Further orders for priorities VIII DC
issued in emergencies under Mr. Nc
adoo's direction as occasion may re-
quire."
Mr.. McAdoo to-day took further steps
TO prevent friction in the governments
dealings with railroad labor by arrang-
ing with William II. Johnston, presi-
don't of the International Association
Of Machinists to call off several minor
strikes of machinists until the railroad
administration can formulate definite
wage and labor policy.
The director general also announced
that as soon as the railroad bill is
passed he will take steps to use more
.ntcnsivcly tho country's navigable
rivers and canals.
81 am very much pleased" he said.
that provision is made in the pend
ing railroad bill for use OF the inland
waterways of the United States III con-
ncction with the railroad system now
under government control. The proper
use of these waterways will largely
increase the transportation facilities
OF the country. and If the pending bill
is passed giving authority to the Preei-
dent TO cxpcnd money for the develop
hiNi' " ~ ohSpo' 20 sio'i ioNi''t'So S' eHS
inland waterways. every effort will be
made to utilize them to the full extent
az their capacity"
McADOO ISSUES STATEMENT
CONCERNING LESsENED TRAFFIC
Commenting on reasons for curtail-
ing passenger traffic, Mr.. McAdoo said: /:
by elimination OF unnecessary pas
scngcr train service. much motive
power. skilled labor, track and tcrmi.
nal facilities are released for the
handling of coal and food and other
supplies essential TO tho lifc of the peo-
pie. as we'll as to the successful prose-
cution of the war. Every patr lotto
citizen can directly help tho govern
mcnt In clearing up the present unsat-
Continued on Tenth pasc0