Evening star., 1918-01-09
DECISIVE ACTION
40
TO RELIEVE LOCAL.
RAILWAY YARDS
Mr.. McAdoo Suggests Pooling
of All Facilities for the Un-
loading of Cars.
SAYS He MAY APPOINT
D. C. FREIGHT DIRECTOR
Lack of Switching Engines Cited q
Main Cause Of the Coal
Shortage.

Shortage.
William G. McAdoo, director general
of the railroads, today took steps to re-
lieye the congestion of freight in Wash
ington yards. He made suggestions to
this end in letter to Commissioner
Brownlow, and addressed instructions to
A. W. Thompson, vice president Of the
Washington Terminal Company, with
Offices at Baltimore.
The director general directed Mr.,
Thompson to arrange for the common
use Of rail facilities in the District cas-
far as may be wise. to increase en-
cheney in the use of them and see to It
that sufficient switching power is main-
tained here at all times" Reports on
the coal shortage here showed that un-
loading was retarded by the lack OF
switching engines.
To Enumerate Drays and Trucks
In his letter to Commissioner BROWNE
low Mr. McAdoo suggests that enumera-
ton be made of the drays and trucks
in the District, that movement of
freight by consignees be expedited. but
states that appointment of a freight
director at this time does not seem
necessary.
"If the appointment Of freight adj
of the District would ap-
pear later to aid in working out these
problems shall not hesitate to act In
line with that suggestion" the director
general adds.
The director general acted after re-
ceiving a report from Hale Holden. q
member Of his advisory council. who
was designated to inquire into the
Washington freight jam. Mr.. Holden
conferred with a local committee, head
ed by R. p. Andrews, who advised him
in regard to the recommendations trann-
mitted to the director general
Mr.. McAdoo's Letter.
Mr.. McAdoo's letter to Commissionsr
Brownlow follows:
sponse in the District to the sug1es-
ton that by helpful corporation the
delivery OF fuel can be increased and
the congestion Of the local freight fa-
II transmit herewith report Of a conn
mittee recently appointed at my sug-
gestion to study the facts relating TO
the freight congestion. Mr.. r. r. An
drews, president Retail Merchants AS
sociation, is chairman of the commit
tee, and the report contains many help $
ul suggestions. I am impressed with
the plan that the drayage and trucking
facilities of the District be immediate-
" co-ordinated under a central direc-
tion. and I observe that the retail mer-
chants in the city are acting along
that line.
''The steam railroad facilities of the
District appear to be reasonably ade-
quate. but, to increase efficiency in the
use of them 1 have directed A. W..
Thompson, vice president Washington
Terminal Company. to take all meas
ures necessary to see that common use
is made of these facilities and that suf- y
ficient power and forces are at all times
upon them.
Points Out Main Difficulty.
'The main difficulty. however. has
been in the delay in removing freight
by consignees from freight houses and
team tracks.
THE admirable spirit of cooperation,
which is rapidly translating itseif into
action, appears to make it unnecessary
for me at the present to go further
than to make the definite suggestion
that you cause an enumeration of the
drays and trucks OF the District to be
made.
With this information. and in CO.
operation with the other interests OF
the city which are acting along similar
llneS 10 DflnS ABOUT relleIs i am per.
suaded that you will find immediate re- Il
sponse in carrying out plans which Il
have suggested and which the inclosed
report definitely indorses for common
use of the facilities in disposing of the
freight and keeping a
steady flow of it through the freight
facilities If the appointment of a
freight administrator of the District
would appear later to aid in working
out these problems shall not hesitate y
n vet IN n ISvrA
am persuaded that such action at the
will not be necessary to sup-S
element the generous action which is
already so well started"
Instructions to Mr.. Thompson.
The letter to Mr.. Thompson follows. !.
.I ineio5e copy of letter which / have
fada:- written to Louis Brownlow re-
ating to the local freight congestion
in the District. 1t is of Importance
that these facilities be kept in EN-
cient operation, and while the present
situation appears to exist chiefly be-
cause consignees are unable or do not
take away their freight as rapidly as
should be. there are doubtless measures
which can be taken to increase capacity
by the railroads.
II therefore request that you under-
take at once to arrange for the COM
non use of the rail facilities in the Dis
.rict, as far as may be wise, to increase
in the use of them and see to
il that sufficient switching power IL
1t the freight houses and in the ad-
of the facilities generally q
should be kept at all times adequate to q
serve the public and generally measures
necessary to keep the service abreast
With the requirements Of the public s
,ere. I shall be glad il you will report
o me on the subject from time TO