Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-01-02
COAL MOVES ON
FEDERAL ORDERS
Director-Gencral Attributes Fuel
Famine to Congestion Rather
Than to Shortage.
CARS STALLED ON SlDINGS
Suspend Priority Orders Pend
ing President Appealing to
Congress for Aid.
CARS STALLED ON SlDINGS
tBy Associated Pres.

BY hssocia ted Pres.
"ASIlNGTON. j January Goal
trains went forward to-day under new
government orders. based on the belief
OF Director-Gencral McAdoo tina, rail-
way congestion rather than actual
shortage is responsible for the fuel
famine in many districts
Upon receipt OF reports that hun
drcds OF loaded coal cars werc stalled
OF sidinsG behind long strings OF cars
containing shipments o: higher prefer.
cat!al raSins than coal. a.! existing
priority orders FOR the entire country
were suspended by Robert 8. Iloyctt.
priority director of the War Industries
Board. on rccommcndati ton of the dircc-
tor-seneral. This is expected to result
In quicker movement of the entire mass
OF congested freight. whose sluggish
ness has been caused largely by null
tip!icitT OF priority orders.
President Wilson. IL was learned to-
night will 80 before Congress Friday
10 present his recommendations for
legislation to make government on
crations fully effective and to provide
for compensation of the carriers. and
drawn will be introduced Immediately
after his address. Some officials think
thcrc viii he a vigorous fight over the
question OF whether the LEGISLATION
should he effective only for tho period
Of the war and limited time there
after. or should remain in force until
specifically repealed or modified b,-
Congress.
pnSTpnNI.
COMMITTEE AND OFFICIALS
Representatives OF the railroads
were to have appeared Tomorrow be-
fore the Senate Interstate Commerce
Committee. but when word came that
the President desired to address Con-
gross Friday. it was announced that
they would ask permission TO withhold
their statements for tho present, The
committee. instead. will hear Commits
sioner Aitchison. Of the Interstate
Commerce Committee, and thon prob
ably postpone further hearings until
the Presidents message has been re-
ccivcd.
pircctor-Ccneral Mc.hdoo spent a
busy New Years Day. lie broke rail-
way preccdents hy ordering that the
Pennsylvania Con,pan%s tunnel under
the Hudson River. heretofore restricted
TO passenger trains. be used to hasten
coal and supplies into the heart OF
New York City. The orders arc to he
followed. even if they interfere with
passenger schedules.
ISL; ALI. FACILITIES
TO RELIEVE CONGESTION
This action was considered significant
by railroad men, not only because of
.
Gated how determined the government
is 10 use all facilities TO their utmost.
regardless Of previous practices. to re-
levc congestion and promote efficiency.
At "A conference OF Mr.. McAdoo with
his advisers and executives. it was de-
cidcd TO put additional ships. now con-
trolled by tho Shipping Eoard, into
service carrying coal from Hampton
Roads to New England. The number
Of vessels which can be spared will be
determined tomorrow. and will bc or
dcred Immediately TO the service.
Hundreds OF kilograms pouring into
the railroad administration told OF
coal trains or individual cars appar-
emily lost in yard confusion. These
, reports. most of which were submitted
by Interstate Commerce Comniss on
executives with instructions to clear
out the stalled freight as fast as phys
i ically possible. and to notify the ad-
ministration the extent Of their in
ability to move certain quantities OF
freight.
MAY DIVIDE COUNTRY
INTO OPERATING DISTRICTS
Early action to divide the country
into operating districts, with a govern
| ment supervisor over each. and pos
s:bly Federal railroad agent for each
State. has been strongly urged upon
Director General McAdoo, and be is
said to be considering this policy.
Many OF the kilograms which have
reached him in the last few days are
from persons or organizations urging
appointment Of certain men to posi-
tions which may he available when the
director general decides on the form
and personnc! of his permanent organ
ization.