The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-03-20
Want A RECIPROCAL
OEMURRAGE LAW
Members of st. Paul Board of
Trade Think Rule Should
Work Both Ways.

G. S. LOTUS announced at banquet
of the st. Paul Board of Trade last
night at the Commercial club that the
executive committee of the Board of
Trade had decided to make a fight be-
fore the next legislature for the enact
ment of a reciprocal demurrage law,
such as is in effect in Louisiana, Texas,
Virginia and other states.
1.-THE need of a reciprocal demurrage
law is keenly felt by all shippers at
this time when so much difficulty is
encountered in securing cars to carry
our goods said Mr.. Lotus. The mat
tec has been considered by our execu-
tive committee and we have determined
to make strenuous efforts to secure the
service which we require. We have de-
cided to conduct an organized fight to
obtain redress from the discrimination
which the railroads practice against u.s.
I'VE are suffering now especially
from discrimination by the railroads in
favor of Chicago and Lake Michigan
ports. Orders are frequently issued by
the roads to their agents to divert cars
to those points in preference to this
territory when there is a shortage Of
equipment, and we are compelled to
wait for cars and are obliged to get
along with a limited number even after
protracted delays which seriously af
feet our business.
While we must put up with these
conditions we are also compelled to
pay demurrage when we hold cars be-
yond the limited time. The railroad
companies assure us that the demur-
rage rule works to our own advantage
~ SEA a,4c
and that we will have benefit Of that
in common with all other shippers.
Think Rule Should Work Both Ways.
"It is all very well for US to pay the
demurrage on cars which we hold, but
we believe that the rule should work
both ways, and that when cars are
withheld from us and when our goods
are delayed in shipment the railroad
companies should pay a penalty on a
basis equal to that imposed upon us
for delay on our part.
with the reciprocal demurrage law
in force shippers would be protected in
q measure against unjust discrimina-
ton in the matter of furnishing equip
ment. When a car would be ordered
and a company would fail to deliver it
within forty eight hours a penalty
would accrue and it would accumulate
day by day till the car was at our dis
posal. The rule would also hasten the
delivery of cars by requiring the pay
ment of equal demurrage by the rail-
roads as that paid by us on failure to
release a car after forty eight hours
If such a regulation was in force we
would not have to complain that the
railroads are diverting their cars to
Chicago and Lake Michigan ports in
preference to this territory.
THE railroads are bound, by COM
mon law, to supply shippers with ac-
commodations, but owing to the alb
sence of a definite penalty the law may
be violated without danger of incur
ring damages The only remedy We
have now is through the medium of
protracted litigation, and even then the
outcome is often doubtful, owing to the
uncertainties of jury trials. We may
now sue a railroad for failure to de-
liver goods which are damaged there
by, or in certain cases failure to supply
cars, but the redress is remote and Of
ten never gained.
Would Obviate Disputes.
"Were the reciprocal demurrage law
in effect we would have a distinct rule
to go by and no dispute could arise as
to the liability of railroad under 1t.
1.-The difficulties we have had in the
matter of securing adequate freight
service dates back to 1897, when the
increase in traffic became so great
that the railroads had not sufficient
equipment and motive power to handle
it. Some improvement has been made,
but with freight COMPOSITIONS and dis
elimination in favor of other points
to contend with we have suffered
greatly and will continue to suffer till
q remedy has been provided
Mr.. Lotus, speaking for the trans
portation committee, also complained
of inadequacy of car service for hay
shipments He declared that during
September and October, when ship
pers desire to move hay the railroads
withhold the cars and that they have
to wait frequently as long as three
months before cars can be obtained.
He also complained of unjust switch
ing charges. He said that the mini
mum switching charges in Minneapolis
is 81, while in st. Paul it is 81, So and
$3.50 on different classes of commod-
tiles. He declared that fight would
be made against the 500 and Mime
apolis & st. Louis on the addition of
an intermediate switching charge be-
tween st. Paul and South ST. Paul.
r. A. Durkee, who presided, pointed
out the growth of the Board of Trade
and predicted further forward strides.
A. l.. Larpenteur, gave "reminiscences
of early days Of the commission bust
ness in st. Paul. G. j. Whittredge,
spoke of hay inspection, which he de-
clared has proven a distinct benefit
during the two years it has been in
effect S. Cummings sketched the his
tory Of the st. Paul Fruit and Produce
Exchange, which was organized in
1893 During last year, he said, with
a business of over $1,0O0.0OO, owing to
the methods adopted by the exchange,
the aggregate of the members loss
was only $500.
John A. Tierney, ]. w. F'illebrown,
w A. Van Slyke, j. Fliegler, R. w.
Cassell, C. c. Gray, C. F. Hubbard and
] L. Whitaker made brief addresses.
w. L. Cummings, of Oregon, spoke of
the fruit raising industry of that state.