Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-01-08
PASSENGER SERVICE
IN EAST IS REDUCED
BY DIRECTOR NJ ADOO
Twenty Per Cent of Trains
viii Be Discontinued Sunday
and Speed of Those Re-
naming Is Cut Down

WASHINGTON, Jan. 5.-To free loco
motives and crews for the more impor-
tant freight transportation, twenty per
cent of the through passenger trains on
1.-The eastern railroads will be discontinued
tomorrow BY approval of Director Gen.
eraI McAdoo The running schedule of
others will be reduced to lower speed to
facilitate the movement of freight
trains.
This policy, announced tonight by the
director general, viii be gradually ex-
tended to affect train service throughout
the country. Fast trains between New
York and Chicago and st. Louis, and
between Chicago and southern and west
ern points probably will be the next to
be affected. Individual railroads will
take the initiative in suggesting curtail-
ments, but these will be approved by the
director general in most cases.
In approving the new passenger sched-
uleS of the Pennsylvania, Baltimore and
Ohio. and the New Haven, Mr.. McAdoo
ordered number of notifications result
ing in retention of more parlor cars
than the railroads had planned. The
program for elimination of trains and
'iengthening of their running time al
sylvania, Baltimore and Ohio, and New
Haven, and a few other smaller lines.
Others are expected to take similar &C
ton in few days.
Mr. McAdoo appealed to the public in
a statement tonight to refrain from
travel as much as possible, but promis-
ed that no commuter trains or others
necessary for proper maintenance of
business life in cities will be eliminated.
Congress to Take Up Bills
Congress next week will take up the
railroad bills introduced yesterday fol-
lowing President Wilson's message on
government operation, and discussed to-
day among members OF both houses in
dicated that a marked difference or
opinion over whether government con-
troll should extend only for a definite
period after the end of the war, or in
definitely until congress orders other
wise.
Coal continued to go forward today
ahead of other freight In answer to "a
number of inquiries from coal opera
tors and dealers concerning the status
OF former priority orders, fuel admins
TRAITOR Garfield telegraphed this expla-
nation:
by direction of Director General Nc
Adoo, all priority orders heretofore is
sued with respect to transportation
have been suspended and no further
priorities may be claimed hereunder.
Further orders for priorities will be
issued in emergencies under Mr.. Nc
Adoo's direction as occasion may re-
quire."
Mr.. McAdoo today took further steps
to prevent friction in the governments
dealings with railroad labor, by ar
ranging with William H. Johnston.
president of the International Associa-
ton of Machinists to call off several
minor strikes of machinists until the
railroad administration can formulate
definite wage and labor policy.
The dire ;t"r general also announced
that as soon as the railroad bill is
passed, NJ will take steps to use more
intensively. the country's navigable
rivers and canals.
II am very much pleased" he said,
chat provision is made in the pending
railroad bill for use of the inland wa
terways of the United States in con-
nection With the railroad system now
under government control. The proper
use of these waterways will largely in
crease the transportation facilities of
the country, and if the pending bill is
passed giving authority to the presi-
dent to expend money for the develop
mcnt OF transportation facilities on the
inland waterways every eHOTL VIII De
made to utilize them to the full extent
OF their capacity"
Commenting on reasons for curtailing
passenger traffic, Mr.. McAdoo said:
by elimination of unnecessary pas
senger train service much motive pow
err skilled labor, track and terminal ia
cilities are released for the handling
of coal and food, and other supplies
essential to the life of the people. as
we'll as to the successful prosecution
of the war. Every patriotic citizen
can directly help the government in
clearing up the present unsatisfactory
situation on the railroads by refrain
ing from all unnecessary travel at this
time.
'aThe breakdown in passenger service
of the various railroads in the East
has not made a pleasant impression on
the public, but it must be borne IN
mind that the railroad companies in the
East are still seriously congested with
an unusual amount of freight traffic,
the movement Of which is more vital
to the country than the movement OF
passengers, and that the weather con-
ditions for the past two weeks. have
seriously impeded railroad operations.