New-York tribune., 1920-05-11
Flour Must Be Brought
Here in Week, Declare
Experts, Who Predict
Industrial Shut Down
Business of Whole
Country Suffering
Raw Materials and Food
Stalled in Transit as
Cars Pile Up in Yards

>|s~~ - IL
A nationwide roundup of infor-
nation collected by The Tribune
shows that railroad freight congcs-
ton, an outgrowth of the outlaw
railroad workers strike, which is
continuing in some railway centers,
is having a baneful effect on in
dustry.
f. e.. Broenniman, member Of the
New York Flour Exchange, said yes
terday:
Unless the situation changes radi-
cally within another week New York
will be in serious plight for her
daily bread. One of two things must
happen-somc drastic means to get
New York's flour. now in transit,
into the city must be adopted or New
York will wake up some of these
mornings TO find that bread must be
rationed as was done in wartime in
Europe. Bakers reserve stocks have
dwindled because they have received
but 10 per cent Of their normal sup
ply in the last three weeks.
The grain supply at it affects New
York is also serious. Grain is no.
arriving or being shipped. Ships are
waiting empty in New York harbor
for grain careoes for Europe. This
commodity must run the gantlet of
three distinct situations before it
arrives on the docks-the Buffalo
freight yards strike and congestion,
the congestion at other points west
Of Buffalo and The New York harboT
strike
Virtually no important railroads en-
rer;ng New .ork City would term their
freight carrying capacity normal yes
torday, and some admitted frankly that
the situation was serious, due to the
loss of cars inextricably tied up ir
Yards and or sidinos almost every.
where east of the Mississippi River.
representative of several roads were
unanimous in saying that such vita
necessities as coal. foodstuffs ant
pcrishable goods were being HANDLED
as freely as facilities afforded, bu
dead freight"-raw materials fo
factories, building materials and good
OF every description which could no
De considered Immediately vital. wer,
under embargo to take their places OF
the roads at a later time. lndustrie,
and commerce, depending upon the rail
roads, arc in many places shut down
or operating sub normally, with reduce
employments, throwing thousands O
people out Of work
Loss in Wages Is Great
The loss in wages and trade is al
ready tremendous and cannot be est
mated accurately. The stagnation o
shlpplng generally and inability to re
eeNe shipments or snip goods, which
thousands of firms and industries az,
experiencing. arc having an effect or
Almost every branch of the nation,
trade as well as export business.
New iork's coal marts were authori
y Tor the statement that the metropo
us Is Stamping along az the mercy o
,mIiserably small shipments leaking
through existing strike conditions, anc
yard-congestod districts almo.. cvor;-
"hore east of the Mississippi.
"A representative canvass of Manhat
tan and Brooklyn plants yesterday re
VeaieG that the bottoms of coal bin,
are IN sight with no reserve supply
ihaniiity TO receive raw manufa cturin,
materials or to ship the finished prod
uc'S was regarded, however, as more
serious from the standpoint of tn,
.u'ure. with raw stocks already lov
many manufacturerS arc approachin!
'he ragged edge.
:. New York is less seriously affected
'ol Vhe moment, according to The Trib
une canvass, than some industrial
vys!'es Of the East and Middle West
,HlualIy every industrial area, how
eser IS feeling the pressure of the Goa
s!notVage and transportation dfficul
.ies. Tens o. thousands of workers ar,
UIt OF employment in coal mines. stee
pants and general industry, while tn,
.afger producers have in many way:
su1lalled their activity and are usin,
very means, including motor trucks
~ get their materials and market thei
output.
Hundreds of smaller coal mines i,
.snhSylvania and eastern Ohio hav,
Taoseo down, unable to get railway car
er a. "nich n, to market their coal. In east
I,h ONO alone. according to The Trib
MS "ne reports, $4,000 coal miners ar,
f%orSing two hours week. Reports
49,. ot"et mining centcrS where ac
N'iV continues TO exist emphasize tn,
put. 'N NN 9"So" ou'
Cars Piled in Yards
- Win the railroads doing all possib!,
sso uaui coal in preference to othe
ts'sht: the situation is expected I,
ihurmahse i". slowly Whether the abso
49, hs.e necessity in coal can be handled
no"eeVer, is a forecast few railroad me,
U';,,:se vi ,those vitality interested in coal. ar,
"iIiing TO make.
Naiiway cars, loaded and unloadcd d
sre., we pied up by thousands in yard
c,om Crom chicago to Buffalo. Pittsburgh
oieveland and almost every railroal
sen'er oe reports congestion. Californi;
NJ snnpiains that the bi. citrus cron i,
e egsaee nigh IN warehouses and that IN,
i'ait Vsiloa and vegetable crop of the Imperia
ha,ley Is seriously affected by III.
bbav.'age NOT of refrigerator cars whic,
save save gone East and failed to return
tahiAern nJhJtAern points report that the vece
ap'e crop cannot move to anv extcn
svSsro Northern marts because Of ~,
Ss,a;in,fsntee S,;i, that ears. when ayailablo
m.n, reach their destination, Shin
'"e"'s sent on their journey are likcl,
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