Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-01-24
IN STATE OF CHAOS
Russian Railroads Tied
Up-Banks Closed
Food Prices Exorbit-
ant

Petrograd, Ian 23.-Siuce the dissoiu
ton of the Constituent Assembly and the
disappearance Of ar. immediate hope OF
reconciling the striving political parties
public attention in north Russia is center
practically all soodstuMs. the breakdown
of transportation and the commercial
stasnation as the result of the closing OF
the banks.
The bread allowance in Petrograd today
has been reduced To quarter Of a pound
daily and the food conmission has limited
eggs to children under three years, each
child to have four eggs II month. Bu,
eggs are not oDtainAble at any price.
The commission also has limited fresh
meat to children between the ages of
three and T. with halt pound monthiy
to each child. Potatoes have been sub
sttuted for bread at many places IN
north Russia. but the cost is equivalent
to IS cents per pound in Perograd ami
consequently the masses of the people
cannot buy them.
4 general suspension Of passenger trains
began today in an effort To speed The
transportation OF foudstuffs from Sibl-,
and south Russia To the no.. .. Members
Of the Railwaymen's Mon are remaining
at their posts trying to maintain trans
poriation. but locomotives and cars are
badly disabled and traffic is hndeve 10y
The masses of wandering soldiers from
all sections of the country who insist
that their trains have precedence oyer
freight Practically all trains arriving at
pptTo2rai a rrhulai wi
Former bank employees in Moscow and
Petrograd still refuse to work under the
direction of the Smolny Institute With
drawals on checks are limited to 800 ru-
hles to each depositor daily and lines
form at the banks because OF the delays
and difficulty IN getting money.
Bolshevihi agents are opening safe
deposit boxes and contscating boarded
gold and silver for the government. and
! turning boarded paper money into cur
rent accounts for the owners.
Street cars and lighting plants have
suspended operations frequently ir
Petrograd because of the lack of fuel
and car lines when operating are sc
crowded by soldiers and refugees that
much of the rolling stock is broken
uoN IL III MOSCOW lHe car INES are
in a worse condition than here.
Soldiers and sailors have become
peddlers throughout north Russia, and
are making excursions into the coun-
try and returning to the cities with
bread. meat, tobacco and sugar. AL
though the city shops are without
stocks the streets are lined with sol
diers offering supplies at high prices.
I Illuminating oil is understandable in
Petrograd and candles are selling at
- cents per pound One pound Of
sugar is allowed each persons monthly
by card at - cents per pound. but
sugar bought without card costs rs
I cents. Flour is unobtainabie at any
price and black bread bought with
cards cost FIVE cents pound when
/ available. Dispatches from many
+ points in the Samaro and Moscow
| districts report starvation conditions.
i Thousands marched yesterday in a
| peaceful demonstration after the flu
neral services for NJ. Logyin. Siberian
member of the constituent assembly
and the other victims of last Fridays
drlnOnstra ton.