Evening star., 1920-05-26
|. c. c. APPOINTS
MENAT TERMINALS
TO MOVE TRAFFIC
Circular Gives Instructions
Outlining Duties-Washing-
ton Men Named.

WI UbSbb tV0bbBSus
The Interstate Commerce Commission
today announced the appointment in
Washington. of committees. composed
Of representatives of the commission
as chairmen and representatives of the
shippers and the railroads. With the
announcement of their appointment is
given a list Of instructions to be fol-
lowed SO long as the committees are in
existence.
The committees announced today will
cooperate with those already appointed
by the railroads. They will be desig-
mated as terminal committees.
Washington Men Named.
The men named by the commission
to act in Washington are R. s. Booth,
chairman. an inspector OF the Interstate
Commerce Commission: Z. V. King, gen.
eral yard master in Potomac yards, and
George II. Gushing. managing director
of the American Wholesale Coal Asso-
citation. with offices in the Woodward
building.
The committee met today for the
first time in the office OF Mr. Booth
at the Interstate Commerce Commis-
sion. where the members reviewed
the instructions issued by the com
mission and determined upon a plan
of action.
Instructions Summarized.
Briefly summarized, these instruc-
tions follow:
1. To consider all matters of op-
Grafton and transportation which will
in any way tend to increase the eff
nciency of car supply. of motive pow
er. of transportation and to relieve
or minimize congestion or delay at
the terminal or upon the line.
2. To see to the routing or re-
routing OF traffic over direct lines.
in conformity with the previous order
issued by the commission. and to re-
port any violation OF the order.
3. To make recommendations after
a study OF the embargo situation.
4. To use every effort to prevent
the abuse or misuse of equipment.
and especially, of coal. refrigerator.
and to use every effort to see
that the use Of these cars for the
time being is confined as far as 10
reasonably practicable to the primary
purposes for which they were built.
Loading to Be Prompt.
S. To use every effort to obtain the
most prompt loading and unloading OF
equipment by shippers and consignees
and to secure the maximum possible
6. To use every effort that orders
for placement OF cars shall conform
to the actual necessity Of the pro-
posed movement. and to discourage
waste or needless transportation dur
ing the present emergency.
7. To cause a reduction in the use
of equipment in transfer service when
truck or wagon.
8. To keep advised and report
daily to the commission on the follow :
ing subjects: Quantity and efficiency
OF labor; lack Of switching power: de-
lays in interchange of equipment: de-
lays in movement Of cars awaiting
billing: bad order cars. condition of
motive power and the railroad fuel
situation.
Service on this committee. the COM
mission announces. is considered a
patriotic duty. There is no compensa-
is regarded in the highest degree
necessary in q national emergency.
The commission will expect" reads
the instructions, that members of the
terminal committee hereby consGtut-
ed, who assume responsibility by the
acceptance Of tender of appointment.
will give such of their time and at
tention to this work as the Importance
of this subject to the nation at large
demands, and as required by the par
ticulaf local situation. The situation
does not admit of delay. and prompt
and vigorous action along all the line
is essential"
Mr. King Reports.
AS a result Of his inspection yester-
day Mr.. King reported today that con-
ditions in and around the Washington
terminal are in good shape. and there
will be no delay in the shipment of
freight to and from Washington SO
far as this end Of the line is con-
cerned.
The task. which the committee faces.
he says. does not lie In dispatching ship
ments of freight to Washington. but
in clearing trains through the local
yards There is no congestion here now.
he said, and on his trip yesterday. which
consumed the entire day. a number of
idle cars were sent on their way.
Reports have reached the commission
lately OF alleged activity on the part of
certain classes Of railroad labor to dis
credit the roads by '1oafing on the job
and otherwise hampering operation. The
committees named today. it is stated,
will look particularly into this phase Of
the subject and embody their findings in
daily reports to the commission.