Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1920-05-20
MOVE TO BREAK
FREIGHT BLOCKADE
Interstate Commerce Commits
sion Appeals to All State and
Public Service Commissions
to Help Govt.

Washington. May 1.-THE Interstate
Commerce Commission took its first step
to-day toward breaking the freight
blockade.
Telegraphc appeals were sent to all
state railway and public service commits
sions. urging them to Join hands with
the government in lifting the burden,
while the commissions force of inspectors
was put to work to help get accurate
data respecting conditions at critical
points. Virtually all the several hundred
inspectors were assigned to aid in sur
veyinR traffic conditsons at important
gateways where the flow of freight
traffic was cogged. The commission also
expected to be fully informed on the
terminal situation at all cities by to-mor-
row night
with increasing complaints from ship
pers and requests for assistance from
the railroads themselves. the commission
is understood to have determined to go
into the freight tie up with hammer and
tongs. Officials, however. urged patience
on the part of those watching for imme-
diate results, since it may require days,
and even weeks, to start anything like
resumption of normal transportation
service.
In it's first attempts at freeing the
maze of rail equipment the commits
sion probably will deal with local
situations in the various cities through
individual roads. This was expected
to last however. only until a general
scheme can be worked out by which
priorities and embargoes can be en-
ployod to restrain the onrushng
stream of commodities waiting at
every station.
Further suggestions Of the railroads
were given the commission at confer
ences with representatives of the rail-
roads and shippers organization Of
ficals. The fuel situation has slowly
developed to the danger point. repre-
sentatives said and they proposed that
the commission establish a general. al
though temporary. order for the move.
ment of grain cars westward and
counter movement of coal cars east
ward.
The commission, in a statement. said 1t
was keeping In constant touch with ev-
cry phase Of the situation through its own
representatives and in cooperation with
the railroads. The American railroad
socations car service committee has turn
ed over to the commission it's figures on
the car supply in order to develop the
actual condition in all localities.
IN the last rev days. the statement
continued. complaints and requests for
assistance have been received from ship
ping interests throughout the country by
letter. by telegraph, through members Of
Congress and by personal appeal. These
have been handled Immediately with the
carriers and In many instances the In
spectors of the commission have been en-
ployed upon the ground to help break the
jam at some contested point"
THE commission to-day advised the
Ore and Coal Exchange with headquar-
tiers at Cleveland. Ohio. that there is n
present Necessity f0' cooperation be-
tween the carriers and shippers in hand
ling coal and ore upon the railroads and
lakes. along the lines followed in 1915
by means of the creation of an effective
coal and ore pool saying that the record
shows that continuance of existing ar
rangements means far-reaching hardships
and perhaps disaster and suggesting that
as an initial step the interested parties
should rc-establish Immediately n similar
arrangement 10 that in effect in 1918.
Many requests have been received for
information as to whether the commits
sion contemplates hearings upon the ap-
plcation filed by numerous important
railroads last Saturday. asking the COM
mission to exercise it's emergency powers
under the transportation act. The COM
mission does not contemplate the holding
of any hearings in the immediate future,
but ii expects from time to time, and as
the facts develop to give such directions
as seem warranted and necessary"