The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-08-23
Reciprocal Demurrage.

There is an element of fair play in
the reciprocal demurrage' agitation
that must appeal to anyone who gives
the subject attention. Demurrage
charges are imposed by railroad COM
panies in order to prevent their roll
ing stock from being tied UP. No one
questions the right Of the companies
to make the charge, and no doubt the
practice results in a freer movement
of cars. In this respect it is a benefit
to the shipping public, which has at
least an equal interest in prompt ser
vice.
On the other hand, do the railroad
companies exercise proper diligence in
providing cars for the shipper, or in
handling them on the road? If the
loud complaints from thousands of
dealers in lumber, coal and merchan-
disc have any foundation, the COM
panies are certainly at fault many
times. Of course they are short of
equipment, but the so-called car short
age is aggravated by what seems I'M
necessary delay in moving loaded cars
to their destination. For the year
, 1902 the average distance travelled by
each car Of freight in twenty-four
hours was sixteen miles, or two-thirds
of mile each hour. Often loaded
cars are left on some halfway side
track for weeks, until it suits the con-
venierlce Of the company to move them
little farther.
Here is where the shipper Is ag-
grieved, and under the present sys-
tenn he has no redress. If he fails to
unload car within forty-eight or
seventy-two hours after receiving it,
he must pay 81 a day for the extra
time consumed. But no matter how
badly he wants his carload of freight,
the railroad company can delay its
delivery as long as il p1eases. This
is a jug-handled sort Of business.
The merchants and shippers who
are asking for a reciprocal demurrage
law only want some protection against
these delays. They propose that the
railroad company should be required
to- move freight fifty miles a day, and
that the company pay the shipper 81
for every additional day required
They also want the company to fur.
nish cars within a certain number OF
days after they are ordered for load.
E ing, or pay 81 day. for the delay
1t is also suggested that when cars are
scarce, the companies be required tt
furnish them to shippers in rotation
J thus doing away with the favoritisn
often enjoyed by the large customers
Such a law will be presented to the
legislature next winter and it will have
the active support Of retail lumbe,
and coal dealers, line elevators anc
small shippers in general. The frs
draft Of the law may not be practical
but 1t seems that in some form tn,
principle ought to be adopted TIL,
spur that moves the shippers tt
prompt action ought also to be ap
piled to the transportation companies
It is worth noting that this one
sided form of demurrage charges ha
grown UP by the common action o
railroad companies in car service asso
Citations. With open, free competition
in this particular the interests OF TIL
shipper would be better regarded. On
of the greatest benefits Of competition
in the railroad field is the accommo
dalton shown to shippers. When riva
companies are bidding for business
they will consult the convenience o
customers. When the railroads ar
combined for mutual interest, thei
own convenience is the higher consid
Grafton. Merger or competition-an