Evening star., 1920-05-24
FREIGHT JAM HERE
REPORTED At END;
SITUATION NORMAL
Conditions in Washington
Reflect Clearing Of Conges-
ton in Other Cities.

Movement of freight through Wash
ington again is normal, officials OF
-. local terminal and yards reported
today.
.I,h the exception of some cars
destined for New York. where the
Jam in the east is most acute. no
rolling stock is being held here longer
than the usual time required for
switching and sending the cars over
designated routes More than 5000
ears passed through the Potomac
Yards yesterday, where a daily aver
age is placed at from 1,200 to 1900.
This indicates general clearing up
of the congestion not only in Wash
lngton. but in nearby cities.
a little more than one week ago
1000 freight cars We're reported jam
med in Potomac yards. Since then the
tracks have been cleared. The local
situation is dependent more or less
upon other cities, it was stated to-
day. Washington is able to handle
and transfer its own freight and that
destined for other points. En- mbargoes
and restrictions elsewhere account for
tIeups here.
Local Merchants Assist.
Local merchants, il was stated to-
day. have co-operated with the ter
minal authorities in unloading their
cars. and through this co-operation
the situation in Washington has been
materially cleared. Twelve or thir-
teen cars which arrived three days
ago. however. are still loaded and
ccnSlSnees in the capital have been
asked TO expedite unloading in order
10 send the cars on their way to other
points.
Though Washington's condition as
to freight congestion cannot be cited
as an example, il was stated TODAY il
reflects the gradually clearing condi-
ton III other cities made possible by
orderS issued in the past week by the
interstate Commerce Commission for
reroutlng OF cars over the shortest
routes These orders, however, would
ne insufficient without the co-opera-
tlon OF the railroad officials them
selves To give this aid the COM
mlttees recommended by the Inter-
state commerce Commission. COM
posed OF terminal officials, are meet
ing today in thirty of the principal
trahc gateways of the country. These
committees are similar to those which
regulated traffic in large cities before
The war. They will sit as advisory
oodles. acting on reports of conges-
ton or threatened tie-ups.
Washington In "Must, List.
Washington is listed as one of the
cities where freight traffic must be
Kept moving. Although previously
announced as meeting in Washington.
the committee which will handle the
local situation met today in Balti-
more at 10 o'clock. The situation in
Phiiadelphla. Baltimore and Washing
ton will be handled by this BODY. the
personnel of which will be announced
during the week by the American
Hallway Association. which author
lied its appointment.
The committees will, in addition to
aiding the rerouting of freight cars.
make recommendations to the Inter-
state Commerce Commission concern
ing a policy of embargoes and pri-
critics. These recommendations will
come as result of the surveys in
each of the traffic centers
Movement of Empty Cars.
The general interchange of equip
ment between the east and the west,
which is hoped to further relieve the
congestion, begins tomorrow. Thou
sands of empty box cars will begin
their trip westward to load with
grain. while open-top cars will be
rushed toward the east to take on
coal. Though this is anticipated as
distinct aid in clearing the jam,
railroad officials are of the opinion
that weeks of cooperation between
the commission, the roads and the
shippers will be necessary to bring
about normal conditions.