The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-08-09
CAPACITY OF OIL TANK CARS.
SUBJECT OF INQUIRY BY INTER-
STATE COMMERCE. COMMISSION.

Their True Capacity-Mr. ShOtter
Admits the Capacity Is Greater
Than Represented, But Says the
Cars Were Not Built According to
His Order-RaiIrOads Carried 800
Gallons Oil Free with Each Car.
The capacity of tank cars shipped over
the Central and the Georgia and Ala
bama Railroads by the Dixie OIL Company
and the S. P. Shotter Company, was in
quired into yesterday by the Interstate
Commerce Commission. The commission
was represented by Hon. Judson c. Glenn
ents of Rome, the other members being
in Washington.
It is said complaint was recently made
to the commission that the tank cars of
the Dixie and Shorter companies were
gagged less than their capacity, by which
a decided advantage was gained over
competitors in the freight rates. AS the
commission regulates wrongs whether
they be by the railroads or by their pat
rons, the following general order was is
sued in July:
For the purpose Of inquiring into the
management of the business of certain
common carriers subject to the act to reg
ulate commerce, and hereinafter named,
and of keeping itself informed as to the
manner and method in which such bust
ness is conducted and particularly in the
transportation of freight traffic to and
from points in the states of Georgia and
Florida, and other Gulf states, and Mis-
sissippi points eastward thereof since
Jan. l. 1898
1T is, therefore, ordered, That special
session of the commission be held in the
city Of Savannah, Ga, Aug. 8, 1898, at 10
O'Clock a. M, at the federal court ROOM
and at such other points In said territory
as may hereafter seem to be desirable, and
that inquiry be then and there made into
the management of the business and the
manner in which the same is and has been
conducted during the period aforesaid, in
the transportation of freight traffic to and
from the points above named, and into
the rates and charges therefor of the fol-
loving named carriers, and each of them
louisville and Nashville Railroad
Georgia and Alabama road, Baltimore and
Ohio road, Baltimore and Ohio Southwest
ern road, Cincinnati Hamilton and Day
ton road Michigan Central road, CleYe-
land, Cincinnati, Chicago and st. Louis
road, Lake Shore and Michigan Central
road and the Illinois Central road"
The commission began its investigation
in the United States Court room. Among
the witnesses summoned We're Col. "A.
Pope, general freight and passenger agent
Of the Georgia and Alabama Railroad; Mr.
c. c. Martin, agent of the same road; Mr.
r. G. Trezevant, agent of the Central
g.s1 4
the Central. Hon. w. r. Day of Washing
ton, represented the commission, while
Judge Baxter of Nashville, was present
in the interest of the railroads. All the tes-
timony was taken geographically, and it
was pretty Yoluminous, as the session last
ed all day, and was continued for some
time al the De Soto last night
As the order states the object was to
look into the management of the business
of certain common carriers, subject to reg
ulations, the commission is expected to en-
force. 1t was stated the Georgia and Ala
bama and the Central Railroad were haul
ing cars of the Dixie Oil Company. guaged
below their real capacity, and delivering
them to connections without the correct
weights. 1t developed however, that the
railroads had no way of determining the
capacities Of the cars, and were therefore
at the same loss as their connections.
The Dixie Oil Company bought twenty
tank cars some months ago, said to have
been built for 5000 gallons capacity or AZ
900 pounds. Whether the order was filed
according to the directions is not known,
but Ii is alleged the cars were operated
several months before it was discovered
they We're of $500 gallons capacity, or 49,
900 pounds, by reason of which the oil COM
pany was getting 500 gallons carried free
with every car. 1t is stated when the over
weig 1t was discovered last March, the cars
were guaged at $500 gallons, and so delLv-
cred to connections.
II is said the irregularities first came 10
light through the Central Traffic Asso-
citation of Chicago which keeps track of
the capacities of rolling stock for the rail-
roads Cars billed over the Georgia and
Alabama, and delivered to the Louisville
and Nashville Railroad, are said to have
been the first discovered. Other lines were
Interested, however, and as II is the prac-
tice of the commission to summon all
roads concerned in any way in an inves
tigation, the number mentioned in the or
der IS explained. There were only few
of them that had representative besides
the genera, counsel.
The testimony of those examined was as
to the way bills bills of lading and re-
ceipts relating TO these cars. 1t seemed
apparent the Georgia and Alabama road
knew nothing of the excessive weight,
talxir the cars as they were delivered
ern wharf. The roads apparently had no
means of determining the capacity OF the
cars, and for that reason, took It for
granted they were as gagged. They deliv-
cred them as they were received.
Tie investigation was probably started
at the instance of our competitors some
WHERE" said Mr.. S. p. Shotter yesterday.
AT first blush it might appear there was
some sort OF collision between the ship
pers and the railroads. but such is not
the case. The Dixie Oil Company ordered
the airs built for 5000 gallons capacity,
and J thought this the case until recent
~ there was correspondence between the
traffic association and myself, indicating
the capacity was more. II is more than
5000 gallons, and since March we have
been so gauging them"
Whether the roads concerned will claim
an over charge is not known. The com
mission will decide the case in Washing
ton az an early day. There are several
Investigations bearing on other matters
to be made in the meantime. however the
sessions to be held at Valdosta, Dawson
and Hawkinsville. After that Commits
sioner Clements will spend some time at