Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1918-01-31
SECTIONS Of EAST
FACE COAL FAMINE
Snow and Ice Storms Again
Hamper Railroad Trans
portation.
NEW ENGLAND HIT HARD.
McAdOO Promises to Rush Ran Move.
ment Of Fuel to Northeast A.
Soon a. Possible.

Washington. Jan. 30.-Large section.
of the East face coal famine within
the next few days as a result of fur.
ther hampering of railroad transporta.
ton by to-day's snow and Ice storms
Reports reaching the railroad and
fuel administrations tonight showed
New England. parts Of Pennsylvania
and districts along the Atlantic sea.
board in worst condition and there
were indications that many industries
would be forced to stop operations for
few days foS lack of fuel.
Already the railroad administration
has done all possible to meet the
emergency. it was said. and develop
ments must depend almost entirely on
weather conditions. Forecasts Of these
gave no basis Of hope. for snow wa.
promised for most Of the country east
Of the Mississippi tomorrow.
No new orders for general industrial
shut down are planned by the fuel admins.
tration. but the preferential treatment OF
coal shipments for domestic consumption
for ships and essential industries will con.
tinue. An extension of the freight embargo
might be considered by the railroad ad.
ministration to assist railroads to move
COAL it was explained. except for the fact
that very little general freight is now
being accepted for eastward movement
by any lines.
Reports to Director-General McAdoo in.
dicated that the westbound movement Of
freight to-day was nearly ten per cent.
under that of yesterday. Most Of this was
coal. The return movement Of empty coal
cars to mining districts was slightly
better. except in West Virginia, Kentucky
and Virginia. where floods still restricted
transportation seriously. Floods in the
balance of the country. which had been
reared yesterday. were postponed by con-
tinuing cold weather.
The plight Of New England was dis
cussed with Mr.. McAdoo by Fuel Adminis-
traitor GARFIELD and ]. ]. Storrow, fuel ad.
ministrator Of that section. Mr. McAdoo
promised to rush the rail movement Of
coal to the Northeast. and said he believed
the supply would be sufficient to prevent
. general suspension Of industries.
Mr.. Storrow was not - hopeful. He
explained that the atntor4er>qce with
the hauling Of coal from Hampton
Roads by vessel because Of the pref
erence given government ships held
| there for coaling. had cut New Eng
lands normal supply from that source
to almost nothing in the last few days.
Arrangements have been made to start
the movement again.
More moderate weather at Hampton
Roads the last few days has helped
| thaw coal formerly frozen in cars, and
assisted the dumping and coaling Of
vessels.
Weather conditions and railroad con-
gestion have interfered seriously with
| shipbuilding activities. according to
| reports to-day to the shipping board.
Deep snow has made 1t impossible for
men to keep at work. In addition. the
freight congestion has curtailed the
supply of materials to a great extent
and some shipyards are entirely with
out materials.
The new zone system or distributing g
coal will be put into effect next week.
but officials do not believe that 1t will
effect much saving Of handling at hrst.