Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-02-07


expected to reach Washington late yes
terdny, and to move to this city early
to-day. Oil Ia being started to Rich
inond at the rate OF three cars daily:
and with the cooperation OF tho rail-
roads there is no danger Of further,
shutdown at tho plant
Richmonds supply Of oil is handled
by the Canton Railroad. a branch line
to the Pennsylvania system. and to
Waxhngto ton. All troubles have arisen
over this section. the Richmond. Fred
ericksburs and Potomac railroad hand
ling quickly all shipments delivered
to II.
RAILROAD MEN AND OIL
OFFICIALS ARE CO-oPEItATISG
Operating officials of the latter rail-
road said last night that they had
taken tho matter up with the supcrin-
tendcnt of tho branch line, ana believed
that no further trouble would develop.
In addition. Manager Graves. Of the
Standard OIL Company, left Richmond
yesterday afternoon for Baltimore to
assist in tho movement OF the oil TO
this city.
! OH pumps at the lower works ceased
operating at o'clock yesterday morn.
ing when the special shipment. for
which an engine was waiting a, Wash
inston, failed TO arrive. Early in tina
morning there was noticeable weak
ness I'm the supply. Emergency steps
| were taken and two tanks of kerosene
oil from South Richmond were rushed
20 the plant at 10 o'clock, but this
did not meet the situation, Us fuel oil
! WAS needed
AZ this hour tbc special train was
just outside Of Alexandria and rushing
towards Richmond with right OF way
! orders. The situation a: the plant be-
came steadily worse. however and at
1920 O'clock Commissioner lIoeson
Issued statement announcing the clos
ins OF the plant. Gas wss cut eff
few minutes later.
HOHsoS IbsuEs
STATEMENT TO PUBLIC
Commissioner Hobsons carly state.
men, is as follows:
/ TO the Public:
After cShautting every means known
to secure the necessary supply Of Gss
oil. on account OF congestion Of traffic
! on the Pennsylvania Railroad. VIC beg
leave to say we have To stop tho man
/ ufacturc OF gas until necessary mate
| rial Il received. We request all gas
consumers to see that every atop.eock
and mcter-cock are turned of and re.
F, main closed until notified through the
/ press. We hope to be able to notify
the public about o'clock hut cannot
say positively until special train
load OF oil arrives. which VIC expect
to do about o'clock
GRAHAM b. lIoBSoE.
Commissioner OF Gas, Water,
and Electricity.
Tremendous effort was made to rush
snpplioa and resume operations, but a;
ISIS o'clock Commissioner Hobson.
after conference with Superintendent.
". +. knowles, decided that gas would
not 10 turned on again until o'clock
this morning. The manufacture Of gas
WAS being resumed at about tina time.
HAS NEVER BEFORE
BEEN ENTIRELY SHUT DOWN
The water gas plant continued on.
Grafton, i,a output being reserved j,
produces only from 100000 to l,ooo. 900
cubic feet every twcnty-four hours.
and was not sufIcien to keep tho city
supplied Tho gas produced while tho
oil plant was closed vac turned into
the holders. so there was al all times
a slight reserve AZ the lower works.
Memhera OF the board declared that tho
combination Of complete water gas
plant has been recommended on numer-
GUS occasiong, but no favorable action
ever taken.
The plant ct tho IIenrico Gas Torha
continued in operation. supplying high
land TarE Barton Heights and ciinter
Park.
In certain quarters the charge was
made late yesterday that no effort had
hccn made to enlist the services OF
Harr% Flood Byrd Federal fuel admin
istrator for Virginia. in obtaining the
required oil. Mr.. BYRD said however,
that had such request been made to
him. il waa doubtful IL he could have
granted any relief. There was no oil
passing through Richmond. 1t was OK
planned. and he had no way OF relicy-
ing the situation.
Tn. Administrative Board did rot
consult MajcT George Ainslie. which
they believed unnecessary. nor did they
call on Governor westmoreland Davis.
| The charge was made that these indi-
! vidua!s should have been asked for
their assistance. 1t was pointed out,
however. that the only action these
| oflicial;; could have taken WAS to re.
quest the Federal government to render
! whatever help was possible.
| Tho board vent directly 10 the rcat
Of the trouble. Commissioner Hebson
was in communication with the Fed.
cral authoritiea in Washington, with
! railroad ofIcia Is in Baltimore, Wash
ington and ti;is city and no stone was
| left unturncd.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
Is @ @@ @ e Il