New-York tribune., 1919-09-30
Congestion in England Due
TO Strike and Order Pro-
hibiting Bunker Coal Are
Reasons for Decision
Will Enter Other Trade
Vessels Already Loaded to
Go Elsewhere; English
Not Affected So Far

WASHINGTON, Sept. 29.--Shipping
in American ports, SO far as it concerns
Shipping Board vessels with cargocs
consigned to ports of the United King
dom, vas at standstill tonight be-
cause of the strike of British railway
workers.
Suspension Of the sailings of all YES
sells under it's control to ports of Eng
land, Scotland, Ireland and Wales was
announced to-day by the Shipping
Board through the making public Of an
order issued late Saturday night, when
the railroad strike became a certainty
The order follows:
TO avoid congestion and bunkcring
difficulties as a result of the impending
British railway strike and in line with
action likely to be taken by British
owners. al sailings of Shipping Board
vessels for United Kingdom ports here.
by are suspended and vessels ordered
held in port. Discontinue at once
further bookings, loadings and clear
ances for United Kingdom ports.
Bunker Coal Order Hurts
The Shipping Board, it was explained
ordered sailings suspended following
receipt of information from its repre-
sentative in England as to conditions
In the ports there, and after the is
suance Of the British order prohibit
ing the furnishing of bunker coal to
any ships other than outbound British
vessels.
While Shipping Board vessels allo-
Gated to the United Kingdom trade con-
stitute only about one-half of the Amer
lean tonnage engaged in that trade, the
congestion of ports resulting from the
strike and the British bunker coal order
IS expected to stop eventually. should
the strike continue, the sailings of all
American craft TO tho British Isles.
Shipping Board officials refused to
comment on the effect the suspensions
would have on the gradual accumula-
ton and resultant congestion of goods
at Atlantic and Gulf ports and at the
railroad administration it was said that
aspect of the situation would be dealt
with when it arose.
British Vessels Not Included
Sailings Of British vessels from
American ports to ports of the United
Kingdom have not been suspended. but
the Shipping Boards order would indl-
cate that such step was being con-
templated
Assistant Director of Operations
Taylor, Of the Shipping Board, in an
nOunClNS the suspension OrGer Salu
that the ships being held in port would
be allocated to other trade as rapidly
as possible Those now loaded or
nearly loaded will be dispatched as
soon as they are ready 10 countries
other than the United Kingdom.
The Shipping Board on the basis of
Saturdays report has fifty-fve OF It's
vessels engaged in the United Kingdom
trade in United States ports. with a
total tonnage of 356 ,004 At that time
there were eighty-four vessels, with a
total of 429 900 lightweight tons on the
high seas bound for such ports, and
eighty-seven ships. of $50 900 dead
weight tons, in British harbors.
Many of the Shipping Board vessels
now Ell route and in British harbors
are oil burners. and are therefore in
dependent of British bunkers, but the
others may be forced to lie in the har-
bors unless fuel can be obtained for
the return trip.