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K WBhiSHBn under orde.- of THE PRESIDENT of THE by COMMITTEE on VVEI.IC INFORMATION GEORGE CREEL, Chuirman COMPLETE Record of U, S. GOVERNMENT Activities

VoL. 3 WASHINGTON, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1919. No. 543

CONFERENCE ON RELATIONSHIP PLAN TO DISPOSE OF SUPvPLUS ARMY’S SHIPPING PROBLEM OF RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION GOVERNMENT-OWNED NITRATE r AND PROGRESS IN BRINGING r TO THE STATE COMMISSIONS United States Has 230,000 Tons f in This Country and 120,000 TROOPS BACK FROM STATEMENT BY DIRECTOR GENERAL Tons in Gliile. OUTLINED BY DEPARTMENT Desire Harmonious Cooper aiion for The War Department authorizes the in Matters of Policing Crossings, following statement from the office of the ALLIES TRANSPORTED Director of Sales Safety Appliances, Etc., Shown at A meetin.g for the purpose of taking up 56 PER CENT OVERSEAS the matter of the disposition of surplus Meeting with Special Committee. stocks of .sodium nitrate in this country Since 11 was held in the office of the Director of November Amer- Till' United States Itaili'oad Adminis- Sales and was attended by a representa- ica's Fleet of Troop Ships ti-ation issues tiie following: tive of the Whir Trade Board, a i'e])ve- Walker D. Hines on Wednesday. Feb- sentative of the War Industries Board, in Operation or Under ruary 19, authorized the following state- the Nitrate Committee, and representa-

ment : tives of the Sales Office, Conversion Has Increased file Director General desires to clarify the relationship between the United Government Has 346,000 Tons Surplus, From 400,000 to 830,000 States Itailroad Administration and the It develojied at this meeting that the Tons — Eight Large Ger- State railroad and public service commis- Government has a surplus of approxi- sions and to agree with them on a plan of mately 226.000 tons of sodium nitrate in man Liners, Now at Ham- constructive cooperation under peace con- the United States and 120,000 tons in ditions. With this object in mind and at Chile. It was decided that the importers burg, Allocated to U. S. his invitation a conference was hehl to- should dispo.se of the surplus in this coun- day between the Director General, IMr, try and that the Government should en- The War Department authorizes the Max Thelen. Director of the Division of deavor to dispose of the surplus in Chile following statement concerning the situa- Public Service, and Mr. PI. C. Niles, of to forei.gn interests. A committee was tion regarding the return of troops the Division of the Public Service, repre- appointed by the Nitrate Committee to The signing of the armistice reversed senting the Railroad Administration, and draw up an offer to the Government to the Army’s shipping prolilem. members of the executive committee, and buy the surplus nitrate, the Government The Army troop fleet lias never had a the special War Committee of the Na- to allow them a certain fixed amount per carrying capacity in excess of 116.000 men tional Association of State Railway and ton to cover cost of selling. a month. Our transports readied this Utilities (tommi.ssions, headed by Mr. Continuation of Method. flgure in .June, 1918, hut did not eiiual it Charles E. Elmquist, president of the as- gain during the rest of The oiieration outlined is simpl.y a con- a, the summer. The sociation. tinuation of the method under which the allies transported 56 per cent of our en- Harmony Developed at Meeting. consumers have olitained sodium nitrate tire force. Our own troop fleet grew to through the importers since November, 400,000 dead-weiglit tons in .Tune, 1918, The conference developed the earnest 1917. The same importers wbo brought and remained stationary at that figure desire on the part of both the representa- the sodium nitrate into the country for during the rest of the year. tives of the Railroad Administration and distribution to consumers are now dis- of the State coimuissions to work in the Allies Withdraw Troopships. posing of the surjilus on exactl.v the same most comjdete harmony in the imblic in- When tlie armistice was signed the basis as previously outlined by the IVar terest. The Director General, speaking allies witlidrew their troopsiujis to take Industries and War Trade Boards. The for the Railroad Administration, and Mr. care of their own problems of repatria- importers who will have the responsibility Pllmciinst, speaking for the State commis- tion, leaving the Army willi a fleet whose for the sale of the surplus are still lield sions, voiced the desire to cooperate in carrying capacity mider winter condi- out of the primary market for shipment this dii'cction. tions was approximately 8.1,000 men a to the United States pending the dis- As a result of the meeting, the Direc- month. Steps were taken at once to ex- tribution and sale of this suridus, oi- tor General plans to put inlo eftect the pand this caiiadty radically. Negotia- until import re.strictions are removed by following policy as to the operation of tions were ojieiied with the allied Gov- the signing of jieace. the railroads under Federal control in- ernments and neutral shipping interests volving police regulations of tlie several the n.se of Navy war ships was secured ; Slates, other than Ihose affecting the Cuban Embargo Imposed inquiries regarding the use of German Iransimrtation of troops, war materials, liners were initiated, and tlie policy of or Government supplies, or the issue of On Wheat-Flour Imports converting the large and suitable cargo slocks or bonds or rates, fares, and (ransiiorfs to trooiisbips as they appeared charges. With this policy the representa- The War Trade Board announces, in in imme jiorts was instituted. tives of the State commissions expressed a new ruling, W. T. B. R. 607, for the Tile result has bemi a steady incrca.se themselves as being in entire accord. information of exporters in the United in the troop movement. Stai-tiiig with States, that they have beini informed that emliarkations of 2.j,000 men in Noveinlier, Police Eegulations, Etc. the Government of has placed an the movement grew to 98,000 in Decem- “ Transportation systems under Fed- embargo upon all importations of wheat ber and 114,000 ill .Tanuary. February eral control continue subject to the law- flour for 60 days. will reach 160,000 and Mardi 200,000. fl’o fid police regulations of the several The particulars of such embargo have Felmiary 10 the embarlcatioiis from the States in such matters as spur tracks, not, as yet, been communicated to the American Exiieditionary I'kirces totaled railroad ci-ossings, safety appliances, War Trade Board, and ex]iorters in the flO.l.OOO; to Eebniary 28 they will total track connections, train service, the es- United States should consult their con- 400,000. ((.'ontinucU on page 2.) signees in Cuba as to such particulars. Tlie.se re.sults liave been obtained de- ; :

2 THE OFFICIAL U. S. BULLETIN: THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1919.

s)iite the haiulicmi.s of winter weather U. v.hkh slows ship turiiaroiuuls and re- S. TROOPS IN NORTH RUSSIA RELATIONSHIP OF FEDERAL duces loading; the necessity for cutting IN capacities to accoimnodate large numbers THE BEST OF CONDITION, AND STATE RAILROAD OFFICIALS

of wounded men ; and the disabling of COMMANDING OFFICER CABLES (Continued from 1.) some of our be.st transports. The Amcv- page ira, one of the biggest carriers, has lablishment, maintenauce, and sanitation been out of service since October 15; the Health Rood and the Allied Com- of station facilities, the investigation of Mount Vernon, ttn-pedoed in French mand Able to Care for Itself accidents, and other matters of local serv- waters, since September 28 and the ; ice, safety, and equipment. It will be the Xortliern Pacific, which grounded on Fire “Against the Whole Hol- policy of the Director General lo cause Island, since .Tanuary I. The Great sheviki Army.” tlie ordei’s of the State commissions in yorthern, was rammed in France aud was these matters to be carried out. The at- out of commission from November 19 to The War Department authorizes publi- tention of the State commissions, how- February 11; while the Leviathan was cation of the following cabled communi- ever, is invited to the present status of the overhauled in England in November and cation from Col. George E. Stewart, com- railroads under Federal control and the Iheu lost a month through turbine trouble manding American troops in northern re.sponsibility of the Federal Treasury for on her return to this country. Russia any deficiencies in reveniie, and it is as- At pre.sent 10 cargo ships have been “The alarmist reports of condition of sumed that expenditures \.lll be ordered converted to troop transports and have troops in North Russia, as published in only in the light of this status and after sailed from France; 29 are under con- press end of December, are not warranted full consideration of the bearing of the version ; and 15 more will be converted by facts. Troops have been well taken particular case upon the needs and diffi- as t hey appear in home ports. This makes care of in evei’y way and my ollicers re- culties of the United States in operating a total of 54 shi|)s, aggi'cgating approxi- sent these highly exaggerated reports, the railroads.” mately .550,000 dead-weiglit tons. Since feeling that a slur is cast on the regiment The Director General also announced November 11 our fleet of troop .ships in and its wonderful record. Health of the following policy with regard to iu- operation or umler conversion has in- command is excellent, sick and wounded vesti,gations and reports on the part of creased from 400.000 tons to 880.000 tons. are well taken care of, and the allied the State commissions and with this In anotlier montii it will reach 9.50,000 command is capable of taking care of policy also Iho State commissions’ repre- tons. These tigures are exclusive of war- itself against the whole Bolshevik! army. .sentatives expressed approval ships and any (lerman liners in German AVe are clo.sed in by ice until .spring, so ports. Investigations by State Officials. mail should not be expected from mem- Carrying Capacity Growing. bers of this command except at long and “ The Director General earnestly de- irregular intervals until navigation opelis. sires to accord to the public the best pos.si- Our carrying capacity in our own ships blc service. He requests the assistance has grown to 110,000 a month. In March Numerous cables are being received re- garding health and whereabouts of indi- of the State commissions in investigating it will reach 140,000, and in April 1.55.000. vidual soldiers of the causing and repoi'ting 'to him the facts, witli -\s more cargo ships are converted and command, congestion of our limited cable communi- recommendations, as to the existing serv- as summer approaches it is expected to cation ice. pass 200.(X)0. ami interfering with oHicial busi- nes.s. Rcfiuest this be given to tlu* j)i-ess, In addition, the Army is now obtaining “All State commissions are reciuested (apacities of 30.000 a month from the and specially to Detroit tuid so far as the.v can conveniently do so to ])apers, to allay any unnecessary anxiety. r.i’itish and 20,000 from other allies and investigate tlie character of freight and Please .acknowledge and inform of ac- netitrals. It is expected that these ca- me passenger .service, tlie physical condition tion pacities will be increased further. taken for infoiauation of my com- of track and equipment, the prompt load- mand. M'ord has now been received of the deli- ing and unloading of equipment, and th.o “ SXKW.'UiT.” nire allocation to the United Stales of 8 gimeral efllciency of the service, in their large German liners, including the Iin- respective States, and to file reports with jnr.ator, which .are at Hamburg. The TREATMENT OF UNCLAIMED the Director General, sending a copy to .ships have been Inspected by the Navy the regional director.” and are in condition to take the sea. LETTERS MEN OVERSEA The conference will be resumed to- fl’lie inspecting hoard is now at Bremen M morrow with the object of discussing and th(' allocation of other liners is im- questions involving rates and other sub- Offick Fihst Asst. P. IM. Gknicuai,, minent. As our crews must take over the jects of interest to the Railroad Admin- Washinoton, February 17, 1919. vessels and as troop fdtings must be iu- istration and the State commissions, l;lie si,ailed the immediate caj)acit.v to be. ob- Postmasters are hereby instructed to object of both the Director General and lained from thes