Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-06-26
FREIGHT CAR EMBARGO
HALTs ALL ROAD WORK
Construction of 600 Miles of High
way in Virginia Interrupted
by i. c. c. Order.
EQUIPMENT GOES no MINES
Commissioner Coleman Says De-
moralization Of Building Actiri-
ties Will Mean Big Loss 10 State.
Is To Last Thirty Days.

Decentralization Of all road worl; in
Virginia. and possibly the United
states. has developed from the en-
barge on open-iop railroad cars de-
ciarcd in force last Monday by the
Interstate Commerce Commission. ac-
cording to assertions made by State
Highway Commissioner George l..
Coleman last night.
Mr., Coleman announced that work
on about Geo miles OF road construc-
ton now going on in Virginia will
he intsrruptod because of the lack
OF materials with which 10 continue
the work. caused by the embargo
which sends all open-top cars TO the
mines for transportation OF coal.
Coleman Returns to Richmond.
Commissioner Coleman returned
yesterday from Washington. where
he was in conference with officials
relative TO the situation. but re
turned with the statement that there
appeared no way of avoiding II. The
embargo is for thirty days. The eff
feet, he asserts. Will he TO dcmoralizc
road construction throughout the
State FOR six weeks or Two months.
meaning that much time completely
lost.
Further. the commissioner declares
that the worst OF the situation is
that work of repairing and the up
keep of roads will he curtailed by
lack of materials. although the de-
tcrioration of the roadways VIII con-
There are l25 contracts for road
construction now being filled in the
State, according 10 the commissioner,
and practically all or the contractors
Will have TO shut down work for the
next thirty days. until they are able
to again get cars in which to have
materials shipped to them if depend
ent on railroad shipments as most OF
them are.
Declares Service Is Worse.
Mr.. Coleman declared the situation
worse Il; the present time. as far as
railroad service is concerned. than At
any time during the world war He
said that in order for the depart
ment TO keen the roads in the state
in serviceablc condition their care
full maintenance is necessary. and
that unless they can be given attcn-
tion they Will wear out and he com
pletely lost.
According to tho commissioner,
road work in the State has jus. be-
gun to get fairly under way. and it's
interruption, while in full! swing. will
Morgan Mills. Jr.. of the Virginia
Equipment Company. also stated that
the embargo has effected the building
business throughout the city and eX
pressed the opinion that building In
Richmond would be seriously effected
by the embargo.
Several contractors engaged in
street Improvement work here have
suspended because
they arc unable 20 obtain cement and
other materials with which to- work.
Charles l.. boiling. Director OF Pub
lie Works, stated last night. Unless
relief comes in the shape Of more
cars in which TO move cement and
other necessities OF road work the
city Will BE- compelled to suspend
more than 100000 worth OF street
Improvement work now going on.
Mayor Ainslic Seeks Relief
Mr.. Boiling said last night that tho
Congressman from this district had
been appealed to by Mayor George
Ainsltc and tho department 10 seek
relief from the situation in Wash
brought to bear upon the Interstate
Commerce Commission. Three of
Richmond's leading contractors have
allied their cause with that Of the
city and are aiding in tho fight for
more cars. Mr.. Boiling said. Railroad
officials here have also been appealed
TO for aid.
I'VE are getting about 500 barrels
of cement = day" Mr. Boiling said
last night. We need and could
easily use 1890 barrels a day. Now
is the time when concrete work
should be rushed as much as possible.
held up indefinitely by the embargo.
We are literally throwing away all
of the good road days"
Mr.. Boiling wrote ,le chairman OF
the transportation bureau of tie In
tcrstate Commerce Commission last
night aEking relief Work which is
being conducted by the, cirI i'm stx
locations may be shut daa-n.s ~ tn"
railroad embargo.