Evening star., 1918-01-19
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press
CHICAGO, January 19-Reports to-
day by railroad officials on the move
ment of coal and clearing of their lines
were optimistic and indicated that the
majority of the twenty-seyen railroads
with terminals in this city would be
operating practically on normal sched-
ules by next Monday. These reports
were made with the provision that no
more severe storms interfered.
During the last twenty-four hours
1,5OO carloads OF coal were received in
Chicago, and there were 2.1oe cars in
outside railroad yards that have not
been switched.
Back to Normal by Monday.
From now on coal will be handled
and switched same as prior to the
storms of last week." said J. w. Hip-
Ems, chairman OF the Railroad General
managers Association. From 00o IN
5000 cars of coal are within easy reach
OF Chicago, and all that remains is to
haul 1t in. The roads are getting their
tracks fairly clear. and we expect to
day" -
More cheerful views of the adminis.
tration's fuel order prevailed today- as
those in the Chicago district affected by
the edlct began to take note of the con-
ditions. One day of the five-dav period
had passed and there had been i'm
provement in the coal situation. Then
1t was realized that under normal CON
ditlons saturday would have been a
nali MONDAY 1or many of the number
| affected; that Sunday made little diff
ference, anyway, and that there re-
manned but two work days during
| which the factories are to remain
closed.
In addition, many Of the doubts and
1ears OF individuals had been dtssfpated
as the local fuel authorities gained
grasp OF the situation and interpreted
doupttu! points in the order Of Federal
Fuel Administrator Garfield.
Few Violations in Industrial Area,
There were few violations of the cur
tailment order in the Chicago Industrial
district The spirit of the order as
well as the technical observance OF It
was practically complete. This was re-
ported as the result of observations of
| agents OF the Department of Justice
during the first day of operation Of the
national fuel administrators order
department store managers were
hopefui today that the federal fued ad-
ministration, to whom the question has
| been submitted. will permit Operation
OF the establishments for six davs a
week on restricted schedule. rather
| than keeping them closed on Mondays
| for ten weeks.
New York Sees Improvement.
By the Associated Press
| NEW YORK, January 19.-While in
dustrfal New York again banked ito
4 fires today in obedience to the man,ate
Of the National Fuel Administrator.
slow but steady improvement in the
| coal and transportation situation was
tapparent.
| According to A. H. Smith. assistan ant
director general of railroads, encour-
aging progress has been made in the
| last twentyfour hours toward re1iev-
! ing the vast congestion of freight at
/ docks, railroad terminals and sitinrs.
movements of both anthracite and hi
, luminous coal 10 and from tidewater
are more frequent and an increasine.
number of ships at this and other near
| by ports have been coaled
| The second day Of the five-day period
of suspension of industry found he
tween 10000 and 10000 concerns in tho
metropolitan district closed, and from
100000 to 1,250.0 900 workers idle, accord
ing to estimates by various organiza-
tions.
OF more than 5000 requests for ax-
emption made to the fuel admits
traitors yesterday only sixty-five con
Germs were given permission to keen
open. Considering the uncertainty over
the orders. number of violations re.
ported to the authorities were com
lparatively few, the majority, it was
said, being due to fnisunderstandinxs
Better Conditions in New ENGLAND
BOSTON. January 19.-RaiIroad officials
reported today that coal shipments for
New England were coming forward more
freely. with indications of a still ereater
improvement unless set back by unex-
pected snowstorms.
While not holding out the promise of
! immediate relief from the shortage. trans
portation officials said shipments would
be increased daily to the point, possibly
of clearing trains s-.as fast as they are
/ delivered at western gateways
Reports this morning showed 721 cars
| awaiting delivery to the Boston and Maine
at Rotterdam and MechanicsviIIe. N. Y
It was estimated that 400 cars would be-
handled during the day as compared with
313 yesterday, s16 Thursday and 259
1 "Wednesday. After today the COMPANY
announced that oastbound shiprieaats
would be increased to from $50 10 476
4 cars daily.
lContinusd On Second PaSel
s5;ss ii .s;ssss