Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-05-16
WANT WARTIME Y |
MEASURES TOEND>
RAIL CONGESTION
Call Present Situation the
Worst Freight Tic-Up
Since 1917.
ASK IMMEDIATE USE OF
EMERGENCY POWERS
Urge That Operations Of Law
Be Temporarily
Halted.
MAY HIT PASSENGER SERVICE
Want Priority Given TO All
Necessities, FoodstuGs
First.
MAY HIT PASSENGER SERVICE
Want Priority Given TO All
Necessities, Foodstufrs
First.
IBy AssocIatcd Prc,a.l

lo.-lnc gov
crnment was asked today to take
emergency. action similar to thar
taken when this country entered tho
war" TO help dig the railroads gu,
from under the worst freight con-
sestion since 1917.
Joint appeal to the Interstate
Commerce Commission by the Ar
ISOLATION OF Railway Executives and
the American Railway Association de-
clarcd the freight jam to be such as
10 warrant and require" immediate
use OF that body's broad powers I'm
der the transportation act In check
Ing menace" which had assumed
threatening proportions.
Common use or equipment. and
embargocs. priornics and diversions
OF shipments were urged by the rail-
roads as means which the Commits
sion could employ to remedy the stu
alton. The roads ask, also. that they
be allowed to curtail passenger SER
Vice where necessary, but indicated
this would be done only in extreme
cases.
should he Free From LAVA.
While tho present conditions con-
tinue, the appeal said, carriers snouid
be relieved from operations Of State
and Federal laws which hamper them
In meeting the demands upon them.
1t was requested also that the c.m,
mission set aside Its regular. policy
OF holding formal hearings, that In
formal summons be issued and tha,
no answer be required. All OF this
should be done as means of expedit-
Ing the esective dates OF orders given
by the commissiop, II was explained
Tho railroad officials represented 10
e tho cornnfissioif.:f Cha e. thefs wac no
Immediate hope for obtaining amply
Equipment md that thc volume OF
commodities being offered for trans
portation permitted no time for pro-
per repairs The labor situation has
augmented the difficulties and docs
not promise Immediate Improvement.
they said The unauthorized strike
OF switchmcn. the petition stated. ha0
contributed to the growing public
distress on accoun, OF delay in tho
movement OF freight"
No lndicution OF Course
There was no indication tonight as
to the commissions course. Its fun
powers under the transportation ac.
nave not been employed as yet. ON
ciais expressed desire to Ego the
limit" hut limited they did not know
where this might lead. Study Of the
traihc te-up has been the rule Mt in,
commission for two weeks, but IL was
declared the commissioners might not
have been fully aware O! the grayit~
OF the situation until the petition O.
the rail heads was laid before them.
Tho railroad men said the conges-
tion had reached n point where the
public interest required prompt use
OF the commissions new powers.
These. conferred In the transporta-
sion act, permit control over every
phase Of the railroad industry. with
exception OF actual physical opera
ton. With that exception, the gov
eminent agency can direct their man
agement almost as completely as did
the railroad administration under its
war powers.
Urge Emergency Powers
The railroads petition asked tina.
emergency powers OF the commits
sion be employed so that:
Necessary food. fuel and other
vital commodities directly affecting
the cost OF living and the life and
comfort OF the people. may he given
preference and priority in movement.
That empty equipment. particu-
larry box. refrigerator. stock and coal
cars. needed to move these commodl-
ties. may have like preference in
movement to those sections Of the
country where they are currently
needed for loading.
THAT for these purposes. and
under orders and direction Of the
commission, the carriers may be au-
thortzed. so Var as necessary. to
POSTPONE or delay loading and move
ment Of other less important CONF
modities. including as to the extent
which may from time to time lie
necessary. the reduction of passenger
seiNicc. and generally to take such
Other action as the commission.
under exercise of it's power. may
ma proper and necessary TO current
ly meet conditions
That 10 The extent tho commits
sion inny find necessary and may au-
thoriZe. The carriers may he relieved
from tho operation Of Federal and
state laws and orders recognized as
ordinarily effective during normal
transportation conditions and gov
ernins The service OF the carriers in
the usual and ordinary conduct Of
their public service. so that In adopt
ing and carrying out the orders is
sued by tho commission during tho
rrescnt emergency the carriers may
be protected against penalties and
complaints Which would otherwise
accrue, and be enabled to lawfully
adopt and currently apply the neces-
sary measures as Che commission
may order to relieve the present
; conditions."