The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-10-20

A careful review of the freight situa-
ton among the lines running into the
cities indicates that the present heaNy
movement of all classes of traffic VIII
continue through the winter and on
some commodities, we'll into the spring.
All the Twin City lines are suffering
d shortage of cars, and orders are plllng
up far in excess of the ability OF the
different lines to fill them The car
shortage is being most severely felt on
the st. Paul-Chicago line, and several
roads are beginning to experience a
very severe pinch in securing coal from
the Illinois, Ohio and Indiana districts
and from the head of the lakes, with
which to operate. IN several instances
merchant shipments of coal have already
been confiscated, and present conditions
indicate that the lack will become gen
eral within short period, unless the
situation becomes easier.
The Northern Pacific reports short
age of stock, lumber, coal and wheat
cars. and has great difficulty in filling
orders The situation was easier yester-
day. but with no prospect of continu-
ance. Some difficulty has already been
experienced in securing coal with the
prospect that unless a change occurs
within the next twenty days the pinch
Will be severely felt.
The Great Western was short 200 cars
on yesterdays orders, with traffic con-
tinuing unusually heavy. Little change
is expected before Jan. l, when 1t Is
Anticipated that conditions will become
easier to meet for few weeks, with an
other rush of business afterwards. The
peculiar phase OF the situation with the
Great Western Is that the traffic on all
kinds of commodities seems excessively
heavy. No reason is assigned for pres
ent conditions, except that general condi-
tons throughout the country are better,
and orders from outlying districts have
suddenly taken jump skyward. The
coal shortage is becoming serious, and
several merchant shipments have already
been confiscated for engine use. The
shortage of cars on the connecting lines
east and south Of Chicago makes 1T al
most impossible to secure the delivery
of ordered shipments General Traffic
Manager Stohr stated yesterday that the
grain movement over the Great Western
at present represents only the smallest
portion ufs the, current shipments.
The St Paul d Duluth reports a con-
siderable betterment of local conditions,
with the greatest present difficulty that
of securing cars from foreign lines for
through shipments from the head of the
lake CoiiGiti0ns have sufficiently i'm
proved during the past ten days to en-
able The line to care for local. shipments
with 1t own cars. The c0ngeSted condi-
lions at the head of thelake have been
relieved, with the exception that some
in 6iSnOSinor Of
shipments. The lake carrier lines have
given notice that only d limited quantity
will be accepted and warehouses are full.
Lumber and grain are moving in quanti-
ties larger than since 1892 One fea-
tme of present conditions is, an unusu-
airy heavy movement of fruit from
Eastern markets West, Prospects are
for the continuance of a heavy business
through the fall and winter and into the
spring.
The Great Northern feels the car short
age mainly in the movement of cattle
business, stock cars being difficult to
obtain In other lines the companys
equipment is sufficient TO handle bust
ness, though taxed to its capacity. The
grain movement is not especially heavy,
farmers deliveries Ea wing begun to drop
off and local eleva tors taking what offers
for storage. There is no immediate
prospect Of a decrease in traffic, and
In6fe dl95 lAdlc6%l0rfS J1At the road Will
have all it can handle until we'll into
the spring. An Improvement in condi-
tons is expected soon lis the first rush
of the grain movements about over
The Burlington line has an advantage
in securing coal, from the fact that it
has direct connections with the Illinois
district. Stock shipments are taxing the
ability of the road to supply cars, though
there is 10 marked shortage A lack of
cars is reported for shipments of farm
produce, tumber, flour and other COM
modiues. Freight officials expect to be
hampered from lack of rolling stock for
several months to come. and anticipate
more business than can be handled I'M
til the opening of the spring season.
The Wisconsin Central is having great
difficulty III filling orders. and is carry
ing a heavier business than for eight
years. The Omaha has daily reports of
heavy shortage of cars, and has more
business in sight than rolling stock in
which TO transport it. Farm products,
general merchandise and stock Ship
ments continue unusually heavy, with
no prospect of immediate change in
conditions. The road is carrying an i'm
menSe business from the cities eastbound
ard from Omaha 10 Chicago