Bisbee daily review., 1918-01-24
 FREIGHT NOV bANNEDN TIE
 EASTERN. ZONE
Three Trunk Lines East of Mississippi and North of Ohio and Potomac Rivers Refuse Certain Freight.
CRv Review Leased wirel


 ] WASHINGTON. Jan 23.-An un- official embargo or all freight except food. iuel and munitions practically was ia elect tonight east Of tke Ais- sissi2pi snd north of the Ohio and 1 Potomac rivers. as result of Direct or General McAdOo's authorized em- largo today Cu thrss eastern trunk lines. Although the restriction was applied formally only to the Penn sylvania and the Baltimore and Ohio east Of Pittsburgh and the Phiiadel- phis and Reading. other railroads ac- , ceptsd little freight toOay. particui- arly if it was destined eastward.
 This situation probably will con tinue until mi;der weather permits railroads to begin to move the great quantity Of general freight accumul- ated ourins recent winter storms. Factors contributing to the em- barg0 were the priority of movement for coal and fodstufis. and the COZ tinueG preference in coal deliveries given to domestic consumers. ships and certain war industries which were exempted from the fuel admiriscra- ticn-s general closing order The bsn on coal consumption was official iv lifted at midnight lest night. but sccres of manufacturing plants, un- able to divert coal from the stream flowing to the more essential indus tries. remained closed or prepared 10 suspend operations in a day or two, whsn their available coal stocks gre gone. This fact. and the knowledge of many shippers that ordinary freight stood little chance Cf prompt delivery. tended to eurtau shipment offerings today
 Zone System Adopted.
 To reduce railroad mileage in haul ing coal. some sort of a zone system of coal distribution probably will be put into operation by the railroads and fuel administrations within a week. Plans for such an arrangement were discussed at a conference between director General McAdOO and Fuel Ad- n-inistrator Garfield. both of whom announced that they were working in entire unison in developing a plan of greatest efficiency for coal tran spOrJatiOn.
 
 over most of the east today the lack of new snowfall enabled the railroads 10 make a sight improvement in the traffic situation. The flow Of coal eastward was somewhat greater. and the supply oi empty cars to mining regions was larger. Nowhere was there any near approach 10 normal conditions. however. and railroad a0- ministration officials pointed out that the full effect Of low coal production and distribution would not be felt for several days.
 The number of ships awaiting bunk CT coal al Atlantic ports was smaller. but freezing of coal in the cars still hampered dumping and ice in harbors interfered with lighterase. Temperatures ranged not far from the zero mark over much of the cOun- try tonight. but warmer weather was in prospect later in the week. and when il comes railroSd officials look for much improvement in transpOrta- tion.
 Munitions Are Shipped. The embargo put into effect today will not apply to shipments of muni- tions or other war supplies .specifical- ly approved by the war or navy de partments and the shipping board. The traffic directors of these depart ments will furnish to railroads definite information on shipments which they wish 10 move promptly.
 Telegrams of inquiry from the mid dlewest concerning reports O. em- barsOes were answered with the in formation that although embargOes there have not been officially sane tioned by government administration authorities. focal railroad officials have power to decline to accept freight destined for emhargoed points or lines. Scores Of these minor embargOes may be declared without the specific ap- proval of the railroad administration and indications were that many would be put into effect tomorrow. The contemplated zone system or coal distribution Is based on a plan prepared some months ago by Fran eis s. Peabody. chairman of the coal committee of the council of national defense. The plan is 10 have each producing district serve a prescribed territory as near to the mines as pos sible. so as tO do away with cross hauling and make transportation more ! economic. Fuel administration off cials estimate that at least % per cent Of present hauling can be dispensed with when the scheme is working properly.
 Many contracts will not expire until
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