Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-05-16
j. s. ASKED TO ACT
TO EFFECT RELIEF
|NFRE|GH! T|E-UP
Railroad Associations Urge
Emergency Powers Simi-
lar to Those in War.
SEE IMMEDIATE NEED
OF CHECKING "MENACE"
Declare Laws Which Hamper Car
riers in Meeting Demands
Should Be Suspended.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
The government was asked yesterday
to take emergency action similar to
that taken when this country entered
the war" to help dig the railroads
out from under the worst freight con-
gestion since 1917.
A joint appeal to the Interstate Com
merce Commission by the Association
of Railway Executives and the Amer
lean Railroad Association declared
the freight jam to be such as to war
rant and require" immediate use of
that body's broad powers under the
transportation act in checking a
menace" which had assumed threat
ening proportions.
What Roads Suggest.
Common use of equipment and en-
bargoes, priorities and diversions of
shipments were urged by the rail-
roads as means which the commits
sion could employ to remedy the sit
uation. The roads ask, also, that they
be allowed to curtail passenger serv-
ice where necessary. but indicated
lulS "OQ1U Uc uOuC ouly III CAlA SAhC
cases.
While the present conditions con-
tinue, the appeal said, carriers should
be relieved from operations of state
and federal laws which hamper them
in meeting the demands upon them.
1t was requested also that the COM
mission set aside its regular policy of
holding formal hearings. that no for
NAL summons be issued and that no
answer be required. All of this should
be done as means Of expediting the
effective dates Of orders given by the
commission. it was explained.
Face Many Dimculties.
The railroad officials represented to
the commission that there was no i'm
mediate hope for obtaining ample
equipment and that the volume of
commodities being offered for trans
portation permitted no time for
proper repairs. The labor situation
has augmented the difficulties and
does not promise immediate improve
strike of switchmen, the petition
stated, had contributed to the grow
ing public distress on account of de-
lay in the movement of freight"
There was no indication last night
NJ to the commissions course. It's
full powers under the transportation
act have not been employed as yet.
Omcials expressed desire to 'go
the limit" but hinted they did not
know where this might lead. Study
of the traffic tie-up has been the rule
at the commission for two weeks,
but it was declared the commissioners
might not have been fully aware of
the gravity of the situation until the
petition of the rail heads vas laid
before them.
The railroad men said the con-
the public interest required prompt
use Of the commissions new powers.
These, conferred in the transporta-
tion act, permit control over every
phase Of the railroad industry, with
exception of actual physical opera
tion. With that exception the gov
eminent agency can direct their man
agement almost as completely as did
the Railroad Administration under
its war powers.
Urge Emergency Powers.
The railroads petition asked that
emergency powers of the commits
sion be employed, so that:
Necessary food. fuel and other
vital commodities directly affecting
the cost of living and the life and
comfort Of the people may be given
preference and priority in move-
ment.
That ample equipment, particular
ly box, refrigerator, stock and coal
cars, needed to move these commodi-
ties, may have like preference in
movement to those sections of the
country where they are currently
needed for loading.
THAT for these purposes, and under
orders and direction Of the commits
sion, the carriers may be authorized.
SO far as necessary. to postpone or
delay loading and movement of other
less important commodities. including
70 the extent which from time to time
may be necessary. the reduction ol
passenger service, and generally to
take such other action as the commits
sion under exercise Of its power may
find proper and necessary to current
ly meet conditions.
THAT to the extent the commission
may find necessary and may authorize
the carriers may be relieved from the
operation OF federal and state laws
and orders recognized as ordinarily
effective during normal transportation
conditions and governing the service
of the carriers in the usual and ordi.
nary conduct of their public service
so that in adopting and carrying out the
orders issued by the commission dur.
Ing the present emergency. the car.
riers may be protected against penal.
ties and complaints which woulC
otherwise accrue. and be enabled te
lawfully adopt and currently apply :hs
necessary measures as the commits.
sion may order to relieve the present
conditions"