The Washington herald., 1918-01-29
TRAINS RUSHED
EAST WITH AID
FOR U.S.ALLIES
Freshets Menace Roads as
McAdoo Orders Vast :
Supply Movement.

Special trains carrying food and
supplies consigned to the French,
British and Italian governments were
ordered last night to be rushed to
the Atlantic seaboard. Director Cen
eral McAdoo issued instructions that
these trains be run solid or in groups.
The order becomes effective at once.
Most of these trains originate IN
Chicago, st. Louis and the inmedi-
ate terminals.
Thousands of tons OF munitions and
supplies must reach the seaboard at
once. The director general plans to
move the greater part of these ship
ments even ahead Of the other neces-
saries that have received preference.
Coal and food will be practically the
only commodities pushed ahead.
Certain Exceptions Made.
Director General McAdoo's instruc-
tions were contained in the following
order. No. z:
THE director general has instruct
ed. in the matter of embargo on the
Pennsylvania lines east of Pittsburgh.
the Baltimore & Ohio east of the Ohio
River. and the Philadelphia & Read
ing road. that the following excep-
tions be made:
"A-Food for animals.
"B-Materials used in the operation
and upkeep OF coal mines.
TO provide for the rail movement
OF food and supplies consigned tc
French, British and italian govern.
ments for ports on the North At
lantic seab0ard already accepted OF
under permit, arrangements have been
made to consolidate these shipments
and move them in solid trains OF
groups OF cars east from Chicago
st. Louis and immediate terminals"
Situation at Worst.
With this great movement. the rail-
road administration faced the worst
situation since 1t took hold OF the
roads. Floods are menacing the roads
and grave apprehension Is felt be-
cause of freshets all over the rail-
road map. A. II, Smith, in charge OF
the eastern transportation, reported
the situation the worst this winter.
Conditions were so bad that all serv-
ice from New York, Philadelphia and
Washington to points reaching the
Pennsylvania districts was annuled.
AACdNy heNc fennSNt-
vania main line trains and derailed
locomotives. The situation was shown
in this report to Director General Nc
Adoo from Mr.. Smith:
Continued heavy rains in West
Virginia, with rapidly rising streams
and water over tracks in many
places. is seriously interfering with
the service in the entire coal fields
district Several snow slides also have
caused trouble.
The weather conditions in PENN
sylvania, West Virginia, Harrisburg
and over the Allegheny Mountains and
In the Pittsburgh districts are worse
than they have been at any time this
winter.
Fight Snow and sIeet.
Ten to fourteen inches of new snow
and sleet. Drifting with bitter cold
winds making a depth of about two
feet on the level. Two mainline
Pennsylvania trains stalled in snow,
one with engine derailed. Holding
other westbound trains at Altoona un-
til conditions clear up.
"Al service annulled from New
York, Philadelphia and Washington
TO points reaching Altoona and Pitts
burgh districts. Eastbound passenger
service from Pittsburgh district and
freight service in Pittsburgh at a
standstill. Prospects of continuing
movement of empty cars to BIZ
luminous mines for next day or so is
not encouraging. Every man obtain
able is being used in an effort to
keep traffic moving. Northern New
York State: Strong east wind and
showing, with temperature ten below
to six above. Light snow in central
part. with temperature two to eight
cen above"