The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-01-20
Big Changes Made by CLASH
fication Committee.
ALI, SHIPPERS ARE HIT
Retailers and Small Shippers Are
Likely to Complain.
CAR-LoT M1NIMUMs ARE RAISED
They Must Buy in Larger Quantities
to Get ME Benefit of
Low Rate.

The western classification committee,
representing all of the railroads west OF
Chicago, has, after ten days session,
made about 300 changes in the western
freight classification which will become
effective April 1. A large number of the
alterations relate to the minimum weight
of carloads. In this respect the meeting
just closed is perhaps the most important
to western shippers ever held. For the
first time in western railroading the size
and capacity Of the car becomes a factor
in computing the minimum weight for
carload merchandise. The committee re-
duced the minimum weight required on
many kinds of merchandise, but in the
general readjustment the tendency was
largely toward requiring shippers to ship
more goods in order to take advantage
of the carload rate.
AS result Of the action of this commit
tee, western. railroads are to adopt
standard car in computing all carload
minimum weights. The measurements are
| S6 feet long, Sh feet wide, and feet
high. The marked capacity on these cars
| is $4,000 pounds. Minimum car load
weights have heretofore been based on
much smaller cars, running from 80 to 80
feet in length, with a marked capacity OF
from 1000 to 100000 pounds. The rapid
increase in the number of large cars, the
consequent disappearance of those OF
smaller capacity, the necessity OF utlllz-
ling the capacity of the cars to the fullest
| nd tN a
| shortage, together with the fact that the
cost of the modern car is double that OF
| the old pattern have in the minds of traffic
men, constituted good reasons for 1ncreas'
ing the minimum required to take ad'
vantage Of the carload rate.
1 The New Minimum.
The following table gives the percentage
of increase or deduction to apply or
minimum car load weights above or unde1
the requirements of the 30-foot car:
4 For thirty -four-foot, IS per cent of the
/ thirty six foot car minimum.
/ Over "a feet, to and including IS feet, 971z
! per cent Of the 36-foot car minimum.
81 and SO feet, 10 per cent over minimum OF
4 36-foot car. .-.. a.
80 and 40 feet, Is per cent over minimum OF
36-foot car. ,--... .-.-
al and AZ feet 40 per cent over minimum OF
36-foot car. LIS
/ AZ and a feet, IS per cent over minimum OF
36-foct car. ~.
45 and 46 feet, 65 per cent over minimum oil
36-foot car.
40 and so feet, 80 per cent over minimum Of
36-foOt car. ..-.-.. 3. .-.... =. -
over 50 feet, $50 per cent over minimum Of
36-foot car.
The size Of the car is optional with the
| shipper. He orders to suit his require
ments, but in using cars larger or small
er than the standard car he must load anG
pay according to the requirements of the
above table. If he orders 36-foot cal
and is furnished larger car he is con-
fined only to the rules and compensation
} for the size Of car he ordered.
4 Machinery Rates Unchanged.
i Beyond the application of this new rule
in carload minimums, the minimum or
agricultural machinery in which the PEG.
pie Of the northwest are much interested
remains unchanged from the old, weigh
shipper of 20, O00-pound carload of agri.
cultural implements will use 36-foot car
If he requires a 4G-foot car a $4,000 mini.
mum will be required. The proposition
| to raise the standard minimum on agri
} cultural implements from 10000 to $4,000
, pounds failed.
Many of the changes in minimum
weights in light and bulky articles, such
as. brooms, broom corn, tanning mills ant
baskets, in which class Of merchandise
there were many reductions. Increase:
: from $4,000 to 10000 were numerous il
iron and steel products and heavy build
! ing material. Few changes were made
in the classification of goods in less thar
: carloads.
The manufacturers, as a rule will have
/, no complaint to make on this change. Il
: will fall most heavily on the retailer ant
small buyers, who will be forced to buy
more goods in order to secure the ca
load rate.