The Washington times., 1920-04-12

The "outlaw" strike today hit
Washington a staggering punch
when $50 trainmen at the Potomac
yards, the most extensive system
south Of New York, planned to walk
off the job at o'clock this altar
noon.
An embargo on all freight destined
for these yards is effective ut I
O'Clock. Two hundred carr lof food
stuffs are in the yards tod y. They
cannot be moved. Offci s stated
there is no hope of saving ! erishabls
freight.
800 Out at Terminal.
More than 1000 cars daily are han
died in the Potomac Yards, which
serve the Baltimore and Ohio, Chesa-
peake and Ohio. Southern. and Rich
mond, Fredericksburg and Potomac
railroads.
Officials of the yards are making
preparations to meet the situation as
best they can. Although the men
have no leadership, they apparently
have a perfect understanding as to
their proposed action. Individually,
they decline to discuss the move.
Approximately 800 Terminal sta
tion employees walked out last night,
and others were expected to join them
today.
Freight service from the North is
already limited. and twelve passenger
trains were annulled today.
Normally 200 cars of freight are
| handled each day in the lexington
yards. which care for the business of
the Pennsylvania and Baltimore and
Ohio railroads. Receipts today were
100 cars.
Two Weeks Food Supply.
Two weeks supply of food for
Washington was the best that could
be promised today by local dealers.
Conductors of the trains from Rich
mond to Washington are advising
passengers to get Off the trains at the
north end of Long Bridge, according
to story told by G. F. Hill. of 1907
Shepherd place, this city. who was
returning from a trip to Richmond
on the $50 train this morning,
Mr.. Hill declared that when the
train reached the north end OF the
bridge, 1t was impossible for II to
go further, as a number OF cars
blocked the way, and 1t was impossi-
BILE for the train to be switched to
another track, owing to the walkout
of switchmen. IL was then, Mr.. Hill
stated, that the conductor advised
passengers to leave the train, as they
would likely be detained there for
some time. 1t is believed that all
conductors have been instructed to re-
peat this advice upon nearing Wash
| ington.
Northern Freight Embargo.
Freight service north of Baltimore
Is practically suspended. An embar.
go on everything, including food
stuffs. has been put on all freight
from the South to the North.
At the Pennsylvania freight agents
office, this morning, II was stated
that Washington will have to go to
New England for foodstuffs hereto
fore received from Eastern Pennsyl-
vsnia and New York, and that all
to come south to Washington over the
Boston and Albany, Delaware and
Hudson lines, There is practically no
freight service out of Baltimore.
Philadelphia. and New York.
Has Week. Food supply.
Food supplies for a week ahead are
held In stock by the Old Dutch Mar
ket Company, II was reported this
morning. The meat supply OF this
company is practically all handled by
motor truck, from Frederick, Md, and
will be little affected by the railroad
situation, the manager of the supply
division stated.
Though we are pretty we'll hxed
for our meat supply, we are having .
great deal of difficulty In keeping up
other commodities" he said. ''Ship-
ments are very uncertain, and are sub
/ ject to condition, We were able to
get one small shipment by express
this morning. II the railroads can
get our stun into the District we can
unload II with our trucks without de-
pending on the terminal facilities"
r,epty OF Gasoline.
1--WE have plenty Of supplies on
hand. We are not worried about the
rs abroad situation emphaucsliy de-