San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-04-25
J., s. RAILROADS
WON'T Be ABLE.
To HAUL LOADS
Freight Congestion Only
Cloud on Nations Bust
ness Horizon.
LINES TO ASK FOR AID
Publishers of Country In
formed of Situation
in An Appeal.
LINES TO ASK FOR AID
Ry &c. ROYLE

C wright by The san Antonio LlEnN.
New York. April 25.-Thc only
cloud on the business horizon is the
congestion which seems certain 10 en-
gulf the railroads next fall.
That was the consensus Of opinion
EXPRESSED today by newspaper pub
fishers gathered for their annual series
of meetings. Business in practically
every section of the country is pros
porous. buying power is greatly en-
HANGED. price advances have been
moderate and have not Served TO
check buying. according TO men in
closest touch With sectional and ma
tional conditions.
Distribution is the problem.
The railroads already are pressed
TO handle the freight offered them.
When the crop movement reaches its
peak. there is every indication that
the carriers will be unable to handle
certain classes Of freight and that
coal and food products will take prece-
dence over other merchandise. This
delay to distribution may serve to
check the volume of business in many
lines. according TO the newspapermen.
unless adequate steps are taken in adj
vance to countcrnct il.
Railroads Ask Aid.
The publishers are fully informed
as to the situation OF the railroads.
In fact the carriers. through their
national organizations AMI by other
means. are taking steTs TO lay their
situation clearly before the moulders
of public opinion and are asking the
help of the newspapers to smooth
the obstacles in the path of distribu-
tions as much as possible.
The railroads are counting on the
papers 10 urge the business men OF
each community 10 so arrange ship
ments in advance as TO relieve the
volume of freight which will have 10
be moved from July on. In their own
case. publishers are being urged 10 ac-
cept their quotas Of newspaper print
well in advance and store it in their
own communities so MS to "bviate any
shortage if the. roads are compelled
to devote all available equipment to
Transportation Of other commodities.
Similar recommendation arc being
made as to other commodities.
Newspaper advertising is. expected
to continue we'll up to its present
peak thronehout the year unless a
check to business comes after the
harvest begins.
Steel Men Relieved.
In the meantime railroads are es-
tablishing new records for the volume
of freight moved in many sections,
especially from the iron and steel
centers. Steel men are viewing the
situation in that industry with full
confidence because of a slight easing
on the part of buyers.
A few weeks ago they feared
runaway market and an elevation of
prices TO levels that would check con-
sumption.
There has been no stiffening on the
premiums paid for early deliveries,
however. and the easing Of prices in
copper. coal, coke and oil has made an
impression on sentiment which is re-
garded as wholesome and advantage
ous.
Prices for salmon. one of the great
staple food products. bid fair TO be
high this season. Salmon packers of
the lower Columbia river have an
nounced that they will pay the high
est prices ever known for fish caught
during the spring season opening May
i. These are as follows: Shinook
II cents n pound blue backs IL cents;
white sturgeon Z cents; green stur-
gcon 3 cents; shad l cent.
Further Wage Advances.
Wage increases continue to be an
nounced daily in widely varied indus
tries. Ladies garment workers. in
the Cleveland district, have been
granted an increase in wages by
board of referees which brings the
scale back 10 the leve. of 1919, or
about 81 above the present weekly
wage.
This will become effective May !.
The board also has reduced the diff
ferential between men and women
workers from 81 IL to 81 per cent.
The increases granted common
laborers by the PENNSYLVANIA rail-
road in the West are expected TO be
followed on other sections of the
road. ..- 49,
Want Claims Paid.