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

eral3 order No. 3. last evening. which
instructed executives OF all railroads
20 make NO changes in present methods
OF accounting as prescribed by the In
terstate Commerce Commission, and to
handle accounts Is II the government
mad not taken possession and control"
Move Against Freight Jam
In an order to all eastern lines, issued
by A. II. Smith. assistant to the d.
r rsctor r.. sensrai, the government took its
yards. such ~ that in Washington. be-
cause OF the failure OF consignees to
haul away their shipments. This order
Embargo any consignee who does not
release freight promptly on arrival"
Other drastic instructions toward re-
lievinE the freight congestion empower
the roads to annul passenger trains
which interfere with necessary freight
service, to call upon all employees to
iend their efforts in this matter of
service to the government and the peo-
pie" and to wire Immediately when
coal Is consested. SO that diversion to
open lines may be arranged with the
fuel administrator.
West and South to Aid East.
Lines Of the west and south were
Informed that they might be called
upon soon to supply locomotives and
other equipment to help move the ire
mendous eastern trafnc. A committee
Of government officials was created to
work out plans for diverting exports
freight to ports south OF New YORK.
Quantities of coal actually are under
way to relieve the shortage In New
The federal board Of mediation and
conciliation will continue to pass upon
wage disputes now pending, according
to an announcement made after con-
ference yesterday with Mr.. McAdoo.
Eventually the director general prob
ably will handle wage questions d.
rectIy.
Mr.. McAdoo cleared up speculations
fegarding the status of Robert S. Low
ktt Of the war industries board, who
has been the priorities director. The
priority system he has developed will
Se continued, but henceforth priority
orders will be issued through the d.
Hector general. For the present eastern
foads may disregard the preferential
tags affixed by Quartermasters Such
dhipments, 1t was charged by members
Ian as high as 80 per cent of the
freight on certain lines and defeated
their own ends.
VT is believed disregarding these tags
4-ill help eliminate sluggish car move
hent. Selection of preferential cars in
fhipyards in many cases causes more
trouble than moving an entire train.
Railroads are to use their discretion
About the speedy movement of perish
SbIe foods, and to expedite coal at all
emes.
To Cut Passenger Travel.
fcurtaiIment of passenger travel is
Manned by eliminating trains as fast as
railroads can arrange. No general in
4rease in rates. according to the plan
ADOPTED in England. is in immediate
contemplation. Commuter trains will
lot be affected by the curtailment plans.
Engines released in this way will be put
INTO freight service, and trackage facili-
Hes and employees will be. released for
&ther use.
$Joeeph w. Folk chief counsel of the In
terstate Commerce Commission. and John
Barton Payne. counsel for the shipping
eoard, who has been retained by Mr.. Nc
Adoo as legal advisor, will have charge of
host legal questions arising under gov
&rnment operation of the railroads.