The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1895-10-25
CAR FAMINE Is BOOMEn
and tho Big Railroad M.sn.tes have .

Object In At
Chicago, Ill, Oct pa great hue and
cry has lately been raised about a
scarcity Of rolling stock both east and
west. Inquiry at railroad offices does
not show that any car fannie yet ex-
lists. though the railroads expect to be
confronted with car famine when the
corn crop begins to move. There are
two or three OF the eastern roads that
have lately made unusual efforts to Sc
cure business which are temporarily
short of cars, but this happens some
times in dull seasons. The majority of
roads have all the cars to handle all
the busienss that offers at present. Any
road is liable to be choked up for few
days on account of concentration Of
business to certain points, but this is
generally followed by a period of dull
ness and an accumulation of empty
cars. About the only portion of this
years crops now being moved are oats
and winter wheat. Corn has not yet
commenced to move and will not for
month or two. With the enormous crop
or corn raised throughout the west this
summer an enormous business is anti
cipateo by the railroads, and for this
reason they anticipate a scarcity of
cars in the near future. All the prin-
clpal railroads have added a number of
IrelSht cars and locomotives to their
roillng stock during the last few months
IN anticipation of an enormous business
this winter. Several of the western
roads are enforcing their forty-eight
hour rule at the principal points ON their
stations, which means that if cars are
not unloaded by conSignees in that time
the company will unload them and place
contents in the freight houses. This is
done to prevent car famine if possible.
shipments at present are heavier than
they will probably be in month or two
from now. On account Of the approach
ing close Of navigation shippers expect
railroads to advance their rates, as they
usually do when they have not to meet
lake competition. and they are anxious
TO forward all the freight they can at
the present low rates. The western
roads have already given notice of an
advance in grain rates, to take effect
NOV. 4, and the eastern roads are talk
ing about raise in grain ties from the
2o-cent basis to 25-cent basis. Chicago
to New York. If this is done there
need be no fear of a car famine or a
scarcity of cars this winter. Shippers
are now pushing forward all the freight
they can. and by the time the advance
IN rates Is made the eastern demand
will be satisfied, and there is no export
corn crop in the west this year has been
larger than ever before. yet is does not
follow that the railroads will be swamp
ed with business. The prices paid for
grain to farmers are so low, and with
railroad rates screwed up to high
point, higher than the traffic can bear,
farmers will refuse to sell and keep their
stuff until next spring. when lake COM
petition will force lower transportation
rates and the markets may have chang
ed for the better.
The opinion is the present hue and
cry about a car famine has been raised
by designing railroad officials for the
purpose of giving them an excuse for
making an advance in rates when. cir
cumstances and conditions would really
demand a reduction. 1t is an old trick
of railroad officials to claim an advance
In rates had been made because there
was more business than they had cars
and that they had to raise rates in
order to be able to handle the business