The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1918-01-04
COAL TRAINS HAVE
THE RIGHT OF WAY
McAdoo Believes Fuel Famine Due
to Railroad Congestion, Not
Coal Shortage.

Washington, Jan. Goal trains
went forward today under new gov
ernment orders based on the belief
of Director General McAdoo that
railroad congestion rather than act
ual shortage is responsible for the
the fuel famine in many districts.
Upon receipt of reports that hun
dreds of loaded coal cars were STALL
ed on sidings behind long strings of
cars containing shipments of higher
preferential ratings than coal, all
existing priority orders for the en-
tire country were suspended by Rob-
ert S. Lovett, priority director of
the war industries board, on recon-
mendation of the director genera al.
This is expected to result in quick
er movement of the entire mass of
congested freight, whose sluggish
ness has been caused largely by a
multiplicity of priority orders.
Before Congress Friday.
President Wilson, it was learned
tonight, will go before Congress on
Friday, to present his recommends
tions for legislation to make gov
ernment operation fully effective
and to provide for compensation Of
&he carriers and legislation which
sais already been drawn will be in
rroduced Immediately after his ad-
dress. Some officials think there
will be a vigorous fight over the
question of whether the legislation
should be effective only for the per
iod of the war and limited time
thereafter, or should remain in
force until specifically repealed or
modified by Congress.
To Defer Statements.
Representatives of the railroads
were to have appeared tomorrow be-
fore the Senate interstate commerce
committee, but when word came
that the President desired to ad-
dress. Congress Friday it was an
nounced that they would ask per
mission to withhold their statements
for the present. The committee in
stead will hear Commissioner Aitch-
ison, of the Interstate Commerce
Commission.
Director General McAdoo, spent
a busy New Years day. He broke
railway precedents by ordering that
the Pennsylvania company's tunnel
under, the Hudson river, heretofore
restricted to passenger trains, be
used to hasten coal supplies into the
heart of New York city. The orders
are to be followed, even IL they in
terfere with passenger schedules.
Considered Significant.
The action was considered signif-
cant by railroad men not only be-
cause of the direct results, but be-
cause it indicated how determined
the government is to use all facili-
ties to their utmost regardless of
previous practices, to relieve con-
gestion and promote efficiency.
At the first conference of Mr.. Nc
Adoo in the New Year with his ad-
visers and executives, it was decided
to put additional ships now controll-
ed by the shipping board into SER
vice carrying coal from Hampton
Roads to New England.
Coal Cars Lost.
Hundreds of kilograms pouring
into the railroad administration told
of coal trains or individual cars ap-
parently los in yard confusion.
These reports, most of which were
submitted by Interstate Commerce
Commission inspection, was referr-
ed TO railway executives with in
structions to clear out the stalled
freight as fast as physically posi-
BILE. -
EARLY action to divide the coun-
try int cooperating districts with a
government supervisor over each
and possibly federal railroad
agent for each State. has been
urged strongly upon Director Cen
eral McAdoo, and he is said to be
oopeiJo-;po fbio y,o1icu