Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-01-03
COAL IN 1000 CARS
.|NB.&O. CONGESTION
Tie-Up on Roads Serious in
Some Sections, Say Reports
to Director General.

Serious congestion on certain rail-
roads while others adjoining or con-
Meeting are about normal was reported
today to Director General MeAdoo by
Interstate Commerce Commissioner Nc
Chord, in charge of the commissions in
spectors.
"The worst conditions reported so
far" said the report. ARE on the New
Haven, the Pennsylvania lines west at
|Pittsburgh, on the ConneIlsyille and
Cumberland divisions or the Baltimore
land Ohio and on the Western Mary
land and the Cumberland Valley rail-
roads. On the New Haven the prin-
cipal difficulty appears to be the short
age OF power, due to large number Of
engines in the shop, and shortage OF
both men and material to make re-
pairs.
"The congestion at Conway yard at
iPittsburgh is due to shortage of pow
er and inefficient help. The congestion
ION the western Maryland and the
Cumberland Valley. and in a measure
on the Connellsvilie and Cumberland
divisions Of the Baltimore and Ohio is
due to embargoes.
B. and o. Has 1000 Cars OF Coal.
The Baltimore and Ohio at one point
was reported to have 1000 cars of coal,
although 1000 is a normal number.
These reports were forwarded imme-
dfately to A. H. Smith, assistant di-
rector general. at New York. with in
structions to re-route traffic from the
heavily burdened roads to those operat-
ing normally.
After three-hour conference with
heads Of the four railway brotherhoods
Director General McAdoo said that some
definite agreement on all relations OF rail-
road labor to the government manage
ment would be made soon. The confer
ence continues tomorrow.
The Brotherhood chiefs assured the di-
rector general of the cooperation Of their
unions and it was said there was no dan
ger of any general strike. Details Of the
brotherhoods' demands on railway man
agements before the government assumed
control, including 40 per cent wage in
crease. were discussed at length.
Some readjustment Of wages and prob
ably a general increase is considered
probable. although Mr.. McAdoo said no
basis of any such action had yet been de-
termined.
Railroad labor and finance questions
engaged the attention of Director Cen
eral McAdoo and his staff today along
land and the east.
Many railroad executives are pre-
pared to recommend general in
crease, especially for unorganized la
Dor, to prevent the men from going to
other industries where wages are
better.
Discuss Future Payments.
John Shelton Williams, controller of
the currency, and the director gem
erals adviser on railroad financial
questions, discussed with Mr.. Mc.Adoo
the situation which will develop soon
when railroad companies bonds and
other obligations fall due. A plan will
be worked out by which the debts may
be either refunded with other securi-
ties which the government may buy, or
met with funds already reserved for
the purpose. and paid under the super
vision of the director general and the
Commerce Commission. Final
arrangement will depend much on the
Legislation Congress enacts.
Since Director General McAdoo be-
came head of a unified and government
controlled railroad system a week ago
the main tangible result has been the
acceleration of coal shipments and
beginning of the clearing up of con-
gestion in railroad yards by abolition
of all priority orders. Surveys also are
under way looking to a practical pool
1 ing arrangement