Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-01-13
MOVE COAL FIRST.
ORDER TO ROADS
Also Told to Reduce Energies to
Keep Locomotives in Run
ming Condition.
CARS BLOWN FROM TRACKS
Commission Clears Way to Haul
Freight Over Shortest
Possible Routes.
CARS BLOWN FROM TRACKS

WASHINGTON January l2.-The
railroad administration to-day mot the
storm conditions prevailing throughout
the country with informal instructions
to railroads to move coal first wherever
possible and to reduce energies TO Keep
locomotives in runnin: order.
High. winds. low temperatures and
snow in the Middle West caused the
fear that passenger traffic in that see
tion and west Of Chicago would have
&c be abandoned. and Director-GcncraI
McAdoo instructed railway officials to
follow the course which local condi-
tions required.
A. II. Smith, assistant director for
Eastern lines. reported to the director
general late to-day that meager ad-
vices from tho West indicated the con-
tinuance of passenger service depended
on abatement OF the storm tonight
Wires were down, box cars blown from
the tracks or unroofcd and all trains
late. number OF passenger trains
already were stalled, IL was reported
Further reports from railway execu-
tives at Chicago were awaiied to-
night.
In tho East traffic conditions were
OelleT, out OICldlB were worried
over the eastward movement OF the
storm. The disruption to traffic in the
West and South was only temporarily
serious. it was pointed out. since con-
sestion could be cleared up quickly
when normal weather is restored. but
in the East 1t would take weeks to
eliminate the storms effect Traffic in
the East was reported as moving a
little faster, although great quantities
OF coal still were held up.
STEEL AND OIL INTERESTS
DENIED PRIORITY RIGHTS
The railroads policy OF eliminating
priority orders was reafirmed to-day
when officials refused tho request OF
steel and oil interests for special
preferential movements. Until the con-
Gestion is cleared. no shipments may
have clear priority right. officials e1-
planned.
Assurance that all railroad employees
would be considered in any future re-
adjustment of wages was given to-
day by railroad officials to Il. Finnison,
vice-president of the Union OF Mainte-
nance and Way Employees. He pre-
sented no wage demands.
The Interstate Commerce Commission
cleared the way for railroads TO haul
freight over the shortest routes and
establish new receiving or delivery
points, by reducing from thirty days
TO one day the period of notice to be
given before changing tariffs. Reads
also were authorized to haul freight
over new routes at rates for which
shipments were accepted, without OBJ
serving the usual long-and- short haul
provisions OF the interstate commerce
act. The commission reserves the
right. however, to order revision OF
rates at any time.
Additional tabulations OF railroad
earnings in November made to-day by
the commission. based on returns from
1913 roads, showed net revenue from
railway operations was sS7.057.oOo, as
compared with slo4,ss7,ooo in Novem-
her. 1916. Reports are expected from
thirty-two additional roads.
OFFICER SEEKS TO MOVE
FREIGlIr CONGESTION IN EAST
Mr. Smith remained in his Office
until late tonight seeking some means
TO relieve the freight congestion ip :hc
Eastern territory but the reports ne
received became hourly discouraginE.
liver coal now at terminals and on
the way from the minea before tn.
approaching cold wave covers water
ways with another thick coating OF ice
The situation, already characterized as
very serious" was made more mem
acinS by the storm.
There is no prospect of improve
mcnt at present" Mr.. Smith said. Tho
lower temperature is moving eastward.
No freight trains are being moved in
the territory around Chicago. and very
few passenger trains. No freight trains
have been moved from Pittsburgh,
either, and only few carrying pas-
sengers."
Mr.. Smith was in frequent comrnuni-
cation with Director General McAdoo
and kept him informed of the weather
conditions which had Drccipitated diff
iicu!tics in railroad operation moro Sc
rious than had been experienced in
tho United States in many years. He
will nc at his Office all day Tomorrow.
Not a passenger or freight train
will leave Chicago terminals for at
least twenty hours. according to a pre-
diction made by operating officials OF
railways entering that city tonight.
The intense blizzard that for days
paralyZcd all traffic OF the Middle West
tonight had completely paralyZcd all
its transportation lines.
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