Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-05-19
BANKERS APPEAL
TO END CONGESTION
IN FREIGHT TIE-UP
CONTINUED from First Page,

Continued from First Page)
from the middle west toward the coal
mines in the east.
| 1t was announced that this order Of
handling equipment would be contin-
ued until more proper balance Of
these classes OF equipment Is OBJ
tanned" 1t was predicted there would
be considerable relief obtained, both
by providing foodstuns and fuel
where needed and by easing the nnan-
cial strain resulting from the long
I continued tie-up.
.Graye Crisis" Ii Noted.
! A grave crisis, Involving the in
dustrial life Of the country" has re-
| suited from failure of soft coal op-
orators to obtain an adequate car sun
ply. the National Coal Association de-
clared last night in q general survey
based on reports from members in
many sections.
| At the same time the United Nine
Workers Of America, in . statement
quoting John Moore. president Of the
Ohio miners. said that unless some
| thing was done Immediately to relieve
the car situation the public would md
itself without coal next winter. Re-
/ sponsibility for present conditions, Mr..
Moore charged, "Pests sQuarely on the
railroads and their unjust and unfair
determination in the distribution OF
! coal cars
! The coal association said persistent
efforts Of operators to obtain relief
had been unavailins; that the short
age OF open-top cars in the coal fie Ids
ran 80 to IS per cent beiow normal.
and that not since the days just pre- :
eedins Americas entry in the war had
1.-THE country been threatened with
such paralysis of Industries
! DeaaAA fer Cars Iaaistent,
L he
have urged the Interstate Commerce.
Commission. the commission on car
service Of the American Railroad AS
ISOLATION, the railroad executives and
Congress to do what they can to rive
the mines SUFFICIENT cars" the aaso-
any relief. however, the car supply
problem. aggravated by the recent
railroad strike. has rapidly become
worse.
because of the inadequate supply
ers Of many mines east Of tho MIS-
sissippi river have been forced to run
their mines only one or two days q
week instead OF fun time. THIS en-
I forced curtailment Of production al
GRAFTON of industrial plants In the
middle west and in the east
Not only is the situation, due to
car shortage, extremely critical in
the east and middle west. but diaas,
ter threatens industries in the entire
| northwest"
Alleges Railroads DiscPimtnste.
Speaking of the mine workers. Mr..
Moore said the railroads are assign.
Ing a full supply Of coal cars to those
rnines with which they have con-
tracts for coal and refusing to sup
ply the thousands Of other mines 90
that the needs Of the public might
be allied.
Railroads consume approximately
one-third of the total soft coal out
put" Mr.. Moore said. and the public
consumes the other tvo-thirdA. RNt
at present the railroads. espseiaify
in Ohio. are takfnG practically all Of
the ceal that - being produced and
fleaving none for the public. Thia %
wholly unfair and We believe II u .
violation Of the Euch- CumminS raN-
road law. Tens Of thousAAda Of coal
miners are out Of smpAoymsAt BE-
cause the roads refuse TO supply eaPs
to miners on an equitable distribu4tve
basis"