The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-10-22
EASTERN WAR PORT
FACILITIES DOUBLED
Danger Of Freight Congestion
at New York and Other
Harb0rs Removed.
A. H. SMITH REPORTS
Supplies Flowing Freely Now,
He Tells Director-Gen-
eral McAdoo.

opcCtuN Dc~NutCN W @"s Se'''
WARRINGTON. Oct 21.-Ail menace OF
break In the bridge TO Pershins''
through congestion In or inadeduacy OF
the North Atlsntic ports has been re-
moved. according to reports to the d.
rector General on conditions In New
York harbor and the i've other big
ports on the Atlantic.
These reports. compiled largely by A.
II. Smith. Regional Director In New
York. show that the freight capacity Of
the ports, 60 dangerously clogged last
winter as to constitute q real menace.
has been more than doubled In the last
seven months and congestion of freight
cut in half All obstructive congestion.
particularly In New York. has been re-
moved and supplies are flowing freely
through that gateway in great volume.
Kindred Nations War Work.
II WAS largely congestion in the East
ern territory last winter that caused
the choking OF the rail lines. Mr.. Smith
says In his report:
Congestion of the seaports when the
railroads passed under Federal control
last winter constituted a serious men,
ace and hindrance to the whole war eff
fort Of the nation. Overcrowding Of
terminals necessarily caused such In
efficiency and restriction Of the ca
pacity Of port facilities that at times
operations were threatened with virtual
paralysis
"The 1890 carloads, about 2.000.o0U
tons, of freight piled up at terminals
wholly inadequate for the tremendously
increased business, made a steady flow
Of traffic at high speed and full utili-
zation Of the facilities for transfer from
rail to ship an impossibility. Yard
tracks were occupied to their extreme
Limit by the 12.552 freight cars being
mlsused for storage and thereby being
held out Of needed moving service,
Cars under load were backed up on
sidetracks for miles inland until In dss-
Ieration railroad officers arbitrarily
dumped cars Of nom perishable freight
nut upon the ground to release trackaga
space and rolling stock In the harbor
lighters were delayed for weeks at u
time with loads because the consested
conditions prevented the prompt making
UP Of the composite cargoes.
213 ships Idle Here January Q.
ION January 6 there were 2l3 ocean
going steamships lying Idle In New York
harbor awaiting either cargo or bunker
coal for the trip to Europe. although at
this period shortage OF bottoms was
acute and the U.boat menace at its
height.
The records show that railroad faciii.
ties for export have not been forced to
their extreme limit at any time in the
last six months, although the tonnage,
except for August. has increased each
month. In August there was a slight
falling Off from July due to reduced
shipments OF steel to supply increased
demand for these materials in essential
war industries at home and also because
o: diversions to South Atlantic and Gull
ports. which shortened the rail haul on
lumber, tobacco and other commodities
Excluding United States Government,
war freight. which under the new sys-
tenn introduced Ia accorded preference
over all traffic and Is exempt from the
regulations imposed upon other freight
and excluding also bulk grain and coal
the railroads deliveries OF export In car
loads at North Atlantic ports for the
past six months averaged daily LOSS
cars In April, 1.34s In May, 1851 In
June, 1880 in July. 1,232 in August and
1851 In September"