The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1922-07-26
WAITING word
FROM HARDING
TO BEGIN FUEL
DISTRIBUTION
Operators and Federal Agents
Mobilize To Meet Crisis Of
Nation Wide Shortage.
EMERGENCY EXISTS
ON ROADS EAST OF
MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Directing Agency With Hoover
AS Chairman Will Be Ap-
pointed By Harding Today.

WASHINGTON, July 25.-Mobilized to
meet the crisis of a nation wide fuel
shortage, federal agencies, producing
operators and railroad traffic experts
awaited tonight the word from President
Harding TO set in motion the administra-
tion's machine for emergency coal con-
troll
I. C. c. Acts
Ground work for the operation of an
emergency fuel rationing program was
laid today by the interstate commerce
commission which declared an emergency
existed on the railroads east of the Mis-
sissippi river.
This formal announcement of the car
rter inability to serve the public in the
transportation Of necessities opened the
way for the distribution of coal under
tn plans unanimously adopted by repre-
sentatives of the producing fields in con-
ference with Secretary Hoover.
Named Wednesday.
The directing agency for the emer-
gency machine-a presidential committee
chosen from the interstate commerce
commission, the department of justice,
commerce and interior with Secretary
Hoover as chairman-will be named by
President Harding tomorrow. according
to high administration officials. This
committee with the aid of an adminis-
trative committee of operators, railroad
traffic experts and probably represen-
tatives of public utilities will direct the
activities of local committees of opera
tors in maintaining fair prices and in
distributing fuel to the carriers and other
public utilities in the order of preference
established by the interstate commerce
commission as best suited to serve the
needs of the general public.
Two Orders
Two orders, both based on its declara-
tion that an emergency in transportation
existed We're issued by the commission.
The first directed railroads all over the
United States to disregard usual or re-
quested routing of shipments in favor
of such routing as would expedite move
ment, and avoid congestion, while the
second established system of preference
and priorities in shipments over all rail-
roads east of the Mississippi.
Though the preference system slSetched
in the second mandate, said that prior
ity should be given in the movement
of food. live stock, perishable products
and coal and other fuels. all Of its de-
tails were devoted to facilitating the
government plan for distribution of ccaI.
MORE-MORE-AND~ MORE
Must Supply Cars
Railroads were directed to supply coal
cars to mines for such special purposes
as may from time to time be designated
by the commission or it's agent there
fore" the agent mentioned being the
presidential committee which will direct
coal distribution. These special needs
having been cared for, carriers were dir
ected to use all equipment for transport
ing fuel first, to railroads and other
common carriers; second, to public util-
tiles, street railways, power, light, gas,
water and sewer works. ice plants and
hospitals: third TO governmental, local,
ND
this applying only to coal carriers reach
ing Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia,
Kentucky, Tennessee, and Alabama;-
for shipments via Lake Erie ports to
Lake Superior ports. Domestic fuel coai
generally was given the next place in the
preference list
Cannot Divert Shipments
Railroads were forbidden to divert or
shipments. except as they
might be needed for superior use under
the order of classification set forth. They
were further required to discontinue use
Of cars suitable for coal shipment in any
other traffic, and railroads not serving
mines We're required to begin daily de-
liveries of suitable coal cars to coal car
riers.
The order giving priority for food and
other shipments was qualified by
clause stating that such preference
should be shown by a carrier only ito
the extent that II is currently to be un-
able promptly to transport all freight
traffic offered II for movements"
Disregard Contracts
IN the routing orders, applying all over
the United States. the commission re-
qufred the roads to disregard existing
contracts and agreement applying TO
freight revenue divisions.
Both orders were made effective from
and after July 26," and were based on
authority delegated to the commission
by the transportation act. The present
emergency was declared to arise because
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