Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-07-26
Interstate Commerce Commission Orders That Food and
Fuel Be Given Priority In Shipment-Reguar
Routing Regulations Are Suspended
Cabinet Devotes Entire Meeting Yesterday to the Stua
tion-Presdent to Name Coal Commission Next
Week-Borah Offers Resolution for
Investigation

Washington, July 26.-Develop-
ments came thick and fast yesterday
in the moves of the Government to
alleviate the immediate pressure upon
industry resulting from the coal and
railroad strikes and to evolve more
! permanent solution for the future.
Chief in Importance among yes
terday's moves was the issuance of
priority orders by the Interstate
Commerce Commission for co-opera-
ton between governmental agencies
and the operators of non-union mines
in carrying out priority regulations.
The orders issued by the Interstate
Commerce Commission authorize
railroads throughout the country to
re-route shipments in order to deliver
them to consignees in the shortest
time and give specific direction to
the roads east of the Mississippi, in
cluding those serving the west bank
crossings, as to priorities.
These directions to the roads east
of the Mississippi give priority to the
following commodities: Food for hu-
man consumption, feed for live stock,
live stock, perishable products, coal,
coke and fuel oil. Appropriate in
structions are given as to exchange
of equipment between the roads.
In handling coal, the preference is
reserved for special purposes to be
designated by the Interstate Com
merce Commission. In succession
come railroads and other common
carriers, public utilities, Federal,
State and local governmental agen-
cies and hospitals; the Northwest Sec
tions and, finally, domestic consump-
ton The latter is relatively unimpor-
tant. The aim is to keep industry
going.
The other developments Of the day
include:
Acceptance by the committee Of
non-union operators Of the Hoover
plans for cooperation in effectuat-
ing priority rulings. The matter
now goes to the operators district
associations.
Announcement at the White
House that the Presidents commits
sion to investigate the coal indus
try, and probably to make tenn
porary wage award, is likely to be
appointed next week.
Introduction by Senator Borah OF
bill to provide paid commission
of three members to investigate the
whole industry and to make recon-
mendations respecting nationaiiZa-
ton or Government regulations.
T.. Statement at the War Depart
ment that coal supplies TRANSPORT
ed this week are not more than half
of last weeks, and pleas to officials
for help from public utility officials
Of New York and Cleveland.
Announcement at the White
House that six weeks ago the Presi-
dent proposed to operators and
miners a minimum wage and
guarantee Of $50 work days for the
miners.
Approval at the White House of
the Hoover plan to deny cars to
price boosters, and statement at
Department of Commerce that Mr..
Hoover had urged Western Ken
lucky operators to abide by fair
price rulings.
Statement at the White House
respecting railroad strike, that the
Labor Board must be recognized
supported and sustained, and that
the mandate of Congress creating
the Gard will be upheld.
The priority orders issued by the
Interstate Commerce Commission to
the roads east of the Mississippi, eff
fective today, state that an emerg-
ency exists because Of the inability
of the carriers properly and compile
tely to serve the public in the trans
portation of essential commodities"
The orders then set forth that, to
the extent that carriers are unable
to move promptly all freight traffic
offered them, they shall give prefer
ence and priority to food for human
consumption, feed for livestock, live
stock, perishable products, coal, coke
and fuel oil.
Directions are next given as to
movement of equipment. In cases
where carriers are unable to return
cars to their connections promptly,
they are to give preference to cars
that can be used for the transporta-
ton of the commodities specified.
Roads serving coal mines are dl-
rected TO give preference to the mines
in the use of cars that custOmarily
are used for the TRANSFORMATION OF
sand, gravel, etc, as well as coal.
In order to assure the quickest pos
sible use of coal cars. the commits
sion's orders provide that an embar-
go shall be placed against any con-
sipnee who shall refuse to unload
within "A hours cars that are suita-
bic for the transportation Of coal.
This embargo applies to the receipts
of consignments to him and to the
pdacement of cars for him The en-
barge rules are not to interfere, how
ever, with shipments to the Great
Lakes or the tidewater, nor are they
to apply to consignees when there
has been an error by the railroad.