Evening star., 1918-01-23
Mr.. McAdoo Issues Order to
Three Railways East OF
Ohio River.
WAR MUNITIONS INCLUDED
IN THE EXCEPTED CLASS
Statement Explains That Drastic
Step Was Necessary Because OF
Continued Bad Weather.

An embargo on all freight except food
fuel and war munitions on the Pennsyi'
vania lines east of Pittsburgh; Baiti-
more and Ohio east of the Ohio river
and the Philadelphia and Reading was
authorized today by Director General
McAdoo.
The action was taken on recommenoa-
ton of A. H. Smith. assistant director
general in charge of transportation IN
the east. No reference was made to the
Recommendation for an embargo SUD-
mitted last night by Fuel Administrators
Garfield. The embargo is temporary, ana
is expected to last only few days
Assigns Reason for Embargo.
"On account of the extremely severe
weather which has particularly afected
operation of railroads crossing the
Allegheny mountains" said the railroad
administration announcement. Director
General McAdoo, upon the recommends
tion of Regional Director Smith. has
authorized him to place an embargo
upon all freight except food. fuel and
such war munitions and war supplies as
are specifically approved by the War
Department, upon the Pennsylvania
lines east Of Pittsburgh, Baltimore and
Ohio east of the Ohio river and the
Philadelphia and Reading, for the pur-
pose of enabling 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 har-
Dor of New York and elsewhere. and in
the provision of empty cars for mines
and coke ovens.
This embargo is a temporary one. It
should last but a few days if the
Weather moderates."
Effects But Little Change.
T. tne practical effect on this order
will not greatly change conditions of
the last few days. it was stated by
sailroad administration ofhcials. since
local embarsoes already have been de-
c!ared by many eastern railroads. These
have been made on the initiative of in
dividual roads. with the general ap-
Droval of Mr.. Smith. In many cases
also. an embargo practically was in
effect because severe weather condi-
plying cars to shippers.
An embargo on everything but food,
fuel and munitions has been under
consideration for several days. Up to
Ren-
.eral was not favorable to a general
embargo. believing that railroads soon
would be able to move the entire
volume of accumulate freight This
hope was shattered last night by the
continuation of bad weather and snow
almost everywhere east of the Nfissis-
sippi. and by the consequent breakdown
of locomotives and slower movement
OF coal and food shipment.
A threatened serious coal shortage
in New York also is said to have has
tened the decision.
Bad Weather to Continue.
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 deluge of traffic
might have been expected by tomorrow
as a result of the reopening of manu-
featuring plants after the fiye-day sus-
pension period. Many industries. it was
expected. would continue to operate on
part time as result of the embargo
order today. This will tend to save coal
further for domestic use and bunkerine
Of ships.