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Newspaper
Boston Post
Location
Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
Date
Mar 17, 1917
Page
8
New England railroads and steamship lines declare an immediate freight embargo as a threatened nationwide trainmen strike looms. Thousands could be idle. yards may close as milk, foodstuffs, and critical goods face disruption. The Boston & Maine and New Haven anticipate major cuts. court actions and injunctions loom over potential walkouts during the crisis.
The railroad managers' committee sent a telegram to President Wilson in New York on March 16, stating that in harmony with his message the national conference committee of railroads will cooperate with the National Council of Defence to avert a national calamity from any interruption of railroad traffic.
Frederic S. Snyder reported Boston’s fresh beef and lamb likely cover only two weeks, with another week in frozen storage. Frozen poultry is ample. fish storage reaches 10,000,000 pounds planned by Commonwealth Ice and Cold Storage. Rail workers face a strike risk as veteran engineers near retirement weigh loyalty versus pension and brotherhood obligations.
In St Louis officials from all railroads met to decide tomorrow’s moves if the Terminal employees strike begins at 6 p.m. Saturday. Passenger crews will work to Wednesday, Missouri Pacific will run trains out of Union Station Saturday night, and Terminal crews control yard switching. A food shortage is not expected immediately due to ample staple stocks.
An embargo on all shipments of pleasure cars and motor trucks from Detroit has been issued by railroads amid an impending strike. Auto dealers fear limited stock and can't promise deliveries, urging customers to await lifting of the embargo as freight congestion persists in New England.
Baltimore March 16 A general embargo was imposed on freight from connecting railroads by the Baltimore and Ohio. Locals may load food and fuel to be moved quickly. Public updates will inform on strike effects. Priority will be fuel and foodstuffs with passenger service affected least. Wheat gains 4 cents a bushel on local exchange.
President E E Calvin of the Union Pacific issued a statement addressing a general railroad strike. He questions whether a plan to cause a nationwide tieup is orchestrated by rival powers and urges citizens to set aside personal rights to protect the country. He expresses support for Elisha Lee, head of the railway conference committee, in recognizing the seriousness of the international situation.
A letter to President Wilson warns that railroad strikes would cripple national efforts in wartime. It argues a two day shutdown could delay troop movements and supply lines, boosting enemy advantage while awaiting Supreme Court decisions on the Adamson law and stressing that union leaders must not mislead their members into a harmful strike.
New Haven railroad will discontinue sleeping and dining car service tomorrow night. Passenger traffic will move to day coaches only after the change.
New York hotel proprietors move to guard food supplies as a possible railroad strike looms. A motor transport network will work with interurban lines and railroads, while mayoral committee letters urge districts to curb price gouging. Officials will receive daily lists of arriving food and fuel trains, and current stock is said to cover six weeks.
I W Geer general superintendent of the southwest system of the Pennsylvania railroad said efforts will be made to operate trains on the system in case of a strike. Preparations to feed and house loyal employees are underway with large dining halls and sleeping quarters at division points and other cities.
In Augusta on March 16 the Maine Legislature approved a joint resolution condemning any action by citizens that could trigger a railroad strike and urging patriotic opposition from the nation to such disruption.
Charleston March 16 In event food shipments to Charleston and central West Virginia cities are cut off by a railroad strike the Kanawha and Ohio rivers will be utilized Arrangements were made to place a line of river steamers and packets in operation between Charleston and Cincinnati and Pittsburgh
President names mediation committee for railroads dispute amid national peril. Goethals eight hour day commission cited as fair solution. White House says no blame assigned. Gompers, Lane, Wilson, Willard travel to New York to confer with railroads and unions.
Samuel Gompers and other mediators arrived as talks with railroad managers and union leaders continued by night. Wilson stated no Washington mandate, while managers pledged to help avert a national calamity from service interruption. Both sides stayed reticent, awaiting possible concessions and renewed talks.
The President, recovering from a long illness, backed by the Council of National Defense, approves sending mediators as war rumors loom. Legal officers study lawful measures to keep food and mail moving, while rail workers’ loyalty is presumed in the event of war.
Samuel Gompers is the only one missing as three of the four National Council of Defence mediators met with chiefs of the four railroad brotherhoods in New York. Secretary Lane and Secretary Wilson arrived, with Daniel Willard of the Baltimore & Ohio also joining the talks aimed to avert the nation-wide rail strike. The session began after a 6 pm strike deadline was set for tomorrow.
New York reports say engineers on the Santa Fe system wired grand chief they have withdrawn and will not heed the strike order. Conductors and engineers on the St Louis and Southwestern have withdrawn. Firemen on the Illinois Central also announced withdrawal, signaling widespread labor action balked by management reports.
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