Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-04-12
D. c. to Be Seriously
Hit if Strike Goes
Beyond Week.
DEALERS PLANNING
TO UTILIZE TRUCKS
South Now Only Source Of Big
Supply-lts Shipments
Hampered.


Hampered.
With shipments Of foodstuffs from
the north and west virtually cut off
today and only belated and insult
fcient supplies arriving from the
south. Washington inevitably will be
confronted with serious food short
age within week or ten days, unless
the strike of railroad switchmen and
yardmen is settled in that period.
day of many of the Districts largest
food merchants. who viewed present
conditions as unusually alarming
Except for several carloads con-
signed to large wholesalers, virtually
no meat arrived in the city this.
Shipments of produce from the south.
however. arrived behind schedule, but
dealers expressed the opinion that
by tomorrow their supplies would be
cut off
Milk Shortage Not Feared.
With milk trains still operating.
although behind schedule. dairymen
do not forecast any imminent short
age in the citys supply. However.
ing plans to bring at least three
quarters Of Washington's milk sup
ply in by motor trucks If necessary
to prevent a shortage.
To prevent shortage of fish and
nearby produce several dealers char
tered a boat to ply the lower Potomac
Others pressed automobile trucks into
use to transport food here from Bal
timore and Philadelphia
Curtails ShiDmenta Here
The Pennsylvania railroad placed
an embargo on all connecting lines,
effective today, which will curtail
shipments from points not directly on
the lines. The principal reason is
because of tie-ups in switching points
at Philadelphia and north Of that
point.
The Potomac yards. known by rail-
road ins1, as the gateway Of 4the rail-
roads to the south, reported today
that arrivals were being handled in
Battsf46tUfy naiaanner. but tkAt eon-
siderable curtailnent had resulted
from outside tie-ups.
At the Washington terminal the
principal tie-up Is being effected as
the result OF the walkout Of more
than one hundred and fifty switch
mon. Passenger traffic Is moving un-
Pennsylvania system to New York
have been cut OF. eliminating the 8.
9, sos. 1906 and IL am. trains out
of Washington and the 3. 4:40. 1880.
9:15 and $3.50 pm. arrivals from New
York.
Cuts on Flow OF Food.
Foodstuffs from New York state and
from Pennsylvania and Maryland
coming through philadelphia and
account Of the absence of connecting
switching service.
Officials of the Baltimore and Ohio
yards here made the following report
this morning:
"On our system. exclusive Of con-
there is not a man out from Philadel-
phia to Chicago. The local yards are
in fine shape. We are taking freight
to all local points on our lines. The
perishables arriving for Washington
from points exclusive OF New York
handled at this end with facility If
they arrive"
The Pennsylvania system presents
a different problem. No freight is
moving north of Baltimore, 1t was re-
ported by officials. On this road travel
large consignments of meat and
fruit from the north and west. Ap-
proximately one-fourth Of the food
stuffs for Washington. it Is estimated
are handled by this road. Such ar
ticles routed through Baltimore and
Philadelphia and New York are fac-
ing an entire CUTOFF.
Avoid New York Tie-ups.
A way has been found out OF the
pressing difficulty by the use of the
Boston and Albany and the Delaware
and Hudson routes. which wing from
through Albany. Mechanicsville. N.
Y: Wilkes-Barre. Pa. and Harris
burg. Pa, and thence to Baltimore,
thus avoiding the tie-ups at New
York and Philadelphia. For emer-
gency shipments and absolute re-
auirements for the District in the
way of foodstuffs. If need becomes
stringent. this route may be used as
q life-saver.
In Washington. according to the
being encountered. Switchmen are at
work in the freight yards both at
Az street and Virginia avenue and at
the Potomac yards. both Of which are
operated Jointly by the Pennsylvania.
the Richmond. Fredericksburg and
Air Line and the Chesapeake and
Ohio.
When the shipments arrive in the
Potomac yards they are virtually
safe for Washington. The difficulties
now being experienced are to get the
ShC SoAACttlAs
points en- route to the yards.
Brakeman and Enginemen Quit.
Another walkout occurred at the
Washington Terminal or Union sta
tion yards. which Is viewed with dis
comfort by officials. An unestimated
cumber of brakemen and enginemen
stopped work yesterday afternoon
The damage to the traffic on account
of this Walkout, which was unau-
thorized according to reports, has not
vet been considerably felt. although
it is viewed as another straw added
to the breaking back of the transpor-
tation camel.
Locomotive Brotherhood Meets.
A meeting Of Potomac Lodge of
the brotherhood of Locomotive Fire
men and Enginemen was held this
morning at Mount Vernon Hail. Sd
street and Pennsylvania avenue south
east.
President Bowersox announced that
nothing would be made public regard
ing the meeting until later. but that
the object was Ito bring back the men
to work and have them live up to their
contracts" The meeting was strictly
secret, and the men remained behind
closed doors for a debate continuing
several hours.
summary OF Situation.
A summary of the local situation at
present appears to be as follows:
-