The Washington times., 1920-05-18
SWEEPING PRIORITY ORDER IN
RAILWAY CRISIS IS EXPECTED
Transportation Executives Call
ed Here for important
Conference.
DECISION EAGERLY AWAITED
CurtaiIment Of Passenger Traf-
fic May Be Employed to
Relieve Conditions.

AHc lntCIbJdtc SOIflIncTCc SOfu-
mission may reach a decision today
on the application of the railroads
for a sweeping priority order in
order to relieve the transportation
tie-up, Secretary McGinty stated.
Call Heads For Conference.
The commission today called ints
conference railway executives. headed
by T. De Witt Cuyler. of the Railway
Executives Association. The confer
ence was believed to be a forerunner
to action by the commission.
There was some doubt whether the
commission would meet all Of the re-
quests OF the railroads, or would de-
termine to meet the situation through
some devices OF its own
Decision to invoke the power OF
priority to clear up railroad conges-
ton and insure uninterrupted move-
ment Of essential commodities 10
hourly expected.
Officials are hurrying forward their
plan to apply an effective remedy
and to readjust traffic conditions TO
q wartime basis. The commission is
said to be ready to sanction, with but
little modification. the embargo pro-
posals in the petition laid before Ii
by the principal railroads, asking that
emergency powers under the new rail
act be exercised Immediately to pre-
vent suffering to the public and
paralysis in Industry.
Nuneress Appeals for Relsef.
While the commission debated the
details of it's decision. the wires and
mails were tammed with appeals for
relief from industrial and financial
quarters. Officials said the findings
of the commission would answer such
appeals by the application of every
possible remedy provided under the
new law.
The commission. 1t is understood,
will provide Immediately for prefer
ence over railroads CT food, foodstuffs,
perishable products. live stock, fuel.
newsprint paper, and other essential
products.
Vital commodities directly affecting
the cost Of living and the life and
comfort OF the people are to be given
preference in movement over all lines.
Necessary orders also are expected
to give preference in movement to
empty car equipment. These orders
will apply chiefly to box. refrigera-
tor. stock, and coal cars, and will in
sure their free movement to sections
OF the country where they are need
ed currently for loading.
May Cut Passenger Traffc.
Radical curtainment of passenger
traffic may be necessary in order
that the locomotives so used may be
shifted to congested points for use in
clearing up the traffic jams. officials
stated.
The commission today went fully
into this phase OF the traffic situa-
tion. The railroads are so congested
with freight that a reduction In pas
senger service was deemed by some
officials as imperative to effect
speedy solution OF the traffic tangle.
trains officials conceded that II
might require two or three weeks to
restore traffic near normal.
In advance of the promulgation Of
emergency priority orders by the
commission, new instructions are in
effect today on practically all lines
for the movement westward OF grain
car equipment now stalled through
out the East. Records fled with tho
commission show that many thou
sands OF such cars are scattered in
Southern territory. Efforts are being
made to hurry such equipment to
Western terminals.
Reports to the commission state
that millions OF bushels Of grain are
held In elevators in the West long
delayed in shipment because OF lack
of cars. The car shortage has SO
seriously affected the crop movement
that financial difficulties already are
imminent. Reports from the far
northwest said that delayed move
80 far hoI nj Ad
liquidation of farmers loans at the
banks.
Financial Trouble Brewing.
Treasury reports from reserve bank
centers today reflected acute financial
disturbances growing out of the rail-
road tieups. Credits at many impor-
stricted. Retarded movement OF
finished goods and the failure Of In
dustries to receive raw materials,
fuel, and other supplies point to re-
duction in earnings in many lines, Of
fcials stated. In some lines the ces-
sation OF traffic has caused much
damage to plants. Retrenchment in
business and idleness OF workers has
resulted from crippled transportation.
Actual suspension OF factories In aume
lines because OF shortage OF fuel and
raw materials was reported.
In view OF the fact that the larger
portion OF the 1910 crop has not been
moved and that demands soon will
be made upon the roads for the move
ment Of the 1920 crop, officials said
II probably would be necessary, In
the public Interest. TO exercise emers-
ency powers over car distribution for
many months.
Officials OF the commission today
are unprepared TO say how long the