Great Falls daily tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1895-1921, 1920-07-11
Steel Mills Blocked.

steel trade.
Steel Mills Blocked.
1.-The steel mills are blocked with pro-
duets. many closed and others will be
before July 20 unless some relief can
be had" declared ]. F. Townsend,
spokesman for the steel men. who ex-
planned that 2S,300 cars would be re-
quired to move / $4,000 tons of steel
products. which are piled up awaiting
shipment.
Mr.. Willard conceded that practically
every space available for storage of steel
was in use but predicted that the mills
the local car service committee cooper
ating in the daily assignment of avail
able cars.
Il believe there will not be any gen
eral shut down in industry declared
Mr.. Willard in this connection. THE
situation. | believe. will not get any
worse. and | believe we can make it
better
Coal Car Order Not Changed.
Mr. Townsend and Mr.. Willard were
among the half score witnesses appear
ing at the closing session of the COM
missions hearing on possible modifica-
tion of its order requiring preference to
be given coal mines east of the Mis-
cars. No indication of the commission S
probable action was given at adjourn
ment, Chairman Clark announcing that
the question would be taken under ad
visement.
Middle Course Advised
Addressing the shippers the chairman
declared the commission realized the
utter impossibility" of pleasing all of
them, but he urged they follow the sug-
gestion Of Mr. Willard TO attempt solu-
tion of car service through cooperation
between them and tie railroad officials;
Through such cooperation Mr.. Willard
had predicted that half the trouble"
could be eliminated by the shippers and
railroad acting through local car service
committees. Mr. Willard expected it
would not be necessary to prevent all
movement of building materials and that
materials could be moved for high
way repairs, maintenance and conStrnc-
ton of essential connecting road links
Such transportation. he anticipated. could
be had on the return movement of the
open top equipment to the mines.
Labor Troubles Should End.
There has been no harmonizing effort
between the carriers ard shippers TO get
the best out of the situation declared
Mr.. Willard adding that the forthcoming
proyement in the transportation stu
alton With labor difficulties ended. Mr..
Willard asserted the roads will move
as much as nthe past-191I. 1913. or
1919"
Extension of the commission order
for 80 days beyond July u. IFS original
expiration date, was favored hN Mr- " III
lard while the steel men at the hearing
did not commit themselves but asked
~ .,,Aa fal fn
them to receive part of the open top
equipment The complaint was made by
the steel men that low sided open top
cars. incapable of carrying coal as their
maximum load, were being generally
used by the carriers for coal.
Other witnesses III their testimony
pointed to The necessity of rushing coal
to northern Michigan. Wisconsin, Minne-
sofa, North and South Dakota. while
lake transportation was available. Mr..
Willard described the coal movement to
that territory rs the most disturbing
problem at present, asserting that 90
900. 900 tons must be moved by way OF
the Great Lakes before the close of nav
igation.
Plans for the movement of the coal to
this territory will be considered at
meeting of coal operators here Monday
and Tuesday, and by the railway exeeu-
tives at New York Wednesday. Mr..
Willard told the commission he hoped the
plans, developed by these conferences.
would not require new emergency orders
from the commission to insure the coal
but If necessary, he would
ask for orders late next week.
Shortage of railroad equipment was
frequently referred TO during the hearing.
Mr. Willard declaring it was impossible
to get more cars or locomotives imme-
diately Mr. Townsend predicted that
the present shortage. together with the
country's future needs were such as to
require an addition of 100000 cars TO
the roads equipment in the next five
years. This equipment, Mr.. Townsend
said, would cost more than S3,oOO,WO,-
600.
Details by dividends of the accunu-
lation of steel products were given by
Mr.. Townsend. his figures showing al
most half of the waiting tonnage to be in
the Pittsburgh -Johnstown district. Steel
products, he said are piled up in the