Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1918-01-22
EASTERN STATES
|. FACE REAL CRISIS
IN fierce STORM
Effects Of Car6eIRs Fuel
Order Almost Nulhfed by
Severe Weather
SOME GOOD RESULTS
BUT NO GENERAL EFFECT
Another Period Of Suspension
May Be Necessary Later
In Week
BY Robert J. Bender

NUnlted Press STAFF correspondent
Washington. Jan. 22,- Swept by
driving snow and bitter cold, the east
ern seaboard and far inland today fac
ed the greatest crisis of the winter.
The weather bureau announced that
while SHOWS would cease generally to-.
might, further drop in temperature
would follow to hamper the staggering
task of the national railroad. No re-
lief is in sight.
The unprecedented Garfield indus
trial suspension order ends at midnight
tonight, its effect virtually nullified
by the terrific weather Of the last few
days. !.
While isolated points report some
relief as a result Of the order, others
state that conditions are worse. Where
coal has been moving to some ports it
has hit almost unsurmountable cbsta-
cles in loading. Some ships however,
have been supplied
Continued conferences of fuel and
railroad officials today failed to de-
velop further constructive measures
to meet the crisis. II was officially
declared that there will be no general
embargo at least tor the present--on
the freight shipments now clogging
the lines.
At Director General McAdoo's Is of
flee today it was stated he is study
ing the need for possible curtailment
of passenger service along with num-
erous other plans. There is little like
lihood, it was stated, that this step
will be taken Immediately, however,
though the demand fer it is increasing.
In considering the next move Me-
Adoo is confronted, it was said, Off
cially, by conflicting situations in diff
ferent states and different lines. maxi
ing the task particularly trying.
Warmer weather would solve the
difficulty as nothing else, it is stat
ed Officials differ widely on what
should be done, some insisting an em-
barge and passenger curtailment abb
solutely vital to movement Of coal.
McAdoo alone holds the power to
stop passenger traffic and he hesitates
to take the step until the last altcrn-
ative has been exhausted.
Throughout the cast and southeast
today, all traffic was blocked by snow
and cold. Cars, yards and terminals
were packed with snow, ice and sleet.
Trains were hours late.
The southeastern seaboard experienc
ed its heaviest snow in years. Six inch
es fell here and the city fuel depart
nent was closed with sign: "No
GOAL, - on the door. Suffering through
)ut this section is increasingly severe
With the prospect of no relief because
1f the freight jam.
As far south as Atlanta. GA. the
snow and sleet and bitter cold swept
over the cities.
Wires were paralyzed everywhere
through the section, coal shortage was
leading to critical suffering and fear
was felt in the south fer some of the
winter crops.
Some hope was seen in Smith IS re-
port that movement of fuel eastward
from Chicago had improved and that
smpties were being speeded back to
,he mines in large numbers.
Time during which coal can be held
IT tidewater terminals without demur-
age was ordered reduced from ten to
iix days under the average agreement
1lan by the interstate commerce COM
mission. This reduction of free time is
designed to relieve congestion along
Jhe seaboard by speeding unloading
ind return of coal cars to the mines.
The interstate commerce commits
sion ruling applied to tidewater ter
ninals at New York harbor, Philadei-
1hia, Wilmington, Del, and Baltimore
Detroit, Mich, Jan. 22-Edgare B.
Whitccsmb, local fuel administrator.
aid today that a relative Improvement
$ apparent in the fuel situation here
Is result of the Garfield order.
Viewed from the standpoint of what
night have been without the order, re-
suits are gratifying, but Detroit IS
till far from being out of the
woods " Whitcomb said.
Cleveland, Ohio. Jan. 22.-Homer H
state fuel administrator, to-
Law declared it was too early to com
nent on the full effect Of the Garfield
.oal conservation order towards reliev
ng suffering in Ohio.
However, l believe the situation
s showing Improvement, he said.
Chicago, Jan. % - "The Garfield
,rder has cut coal consumption and in
,reased the supply for Illinois, = John
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