The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-05-10
For Failure to Furnish
Cars For Berries.
CROP is HALF GONE
Some Growers Because Of Lack Of Cars
Have Not Realized Enough Profit
to Pay For Gathering, 10.
Carr Believes Claims Will
Be Settled.

Mr.. ]. o. Carr of Wilmington. at
torney for the East Carolina Fruit
Growers and Truckers Association. is
is the city attending the Supreme
Court. He was seen last night by
News and Observer reporter. and in
reply to a question as to the liability
of the transportation companies for
failure to furnish the necessary cars
for transportation of strawberries
from the Eastern shipping points
said:
I'm my opinion there is no doubt
about the liability of both the rail-
roads and the Armour Car Lines for
damages which the truckers may sus-
tain by reason of failure to furnish
proper and sufficient cars for the
transportation of the berries to the
Northern markets. The transporta-
tion companies have invited business
of this kind and charge heavy freights
to cover the expense and danger Of
loss in doing this business. The truck
ers put in their crops with the expec-
tation that the companies would
handle the business successfully and
they will insist that this is done o.
that they are compensated for any loss
by reason of a failure to do So
are TIE COHlpdllleS ItNNANDlE ttiS
berries regardless of the fact that cars
cannot be suppHed?'
Yes" Mr. Carr replied, otherwise
they would be liable for heavy PEN
atty, for every day they refuse to re-
ceive a shipment. The truckers are
picking the berries and delivering
them to the companies just as if cars
were ready and taking bills of lading
for them. There is nothing else they
"a do b4tt n do a they ran To save
the crop and require the same of the
transportation companies"
What do you think is the amount of
the loss and what effect will it have on
a future crop?"
II cannot say with any certainty.
The loss is enormous and many truck
erS report to me that they have
hardly realized enough from sales to
pay expenses of gathering and ship
ping. and the crop is al
ready half gathered The sit
uation will likely cripple the
industry in the future and give
it a serious back-set unless adequate
compensation is made for the loss and
the farmers are assured of good SER
vice in the future"
What in your opinion is the cause
of the trouble?'
Il do not know. There are various
rumors, the most plausible being a
congestion of freight. ] am inclined to
think this is correct, for the cars that
are sent forward are reported as arr
irving in the Northern markets from
one to two days late and in bad con-
dition"
do you think the claims will be
adjusted without litigation 2"
Il think the bulk Of them will be"
What is the duty of the Truckers
Association in connection with trans
porting and marketing the berries ~
1T has its Secretary, Mr.. H. r.
Bauman, at Rocky Mount, where he
always remains during the season.
He makes a record of every car. sees
that it leaves Rocky Mount without
delay and properly iced, and keeps a
record of it's movements until the ber-
ries are delivered on the Northern
markets. He knows every day how
many cars are going to the different
markets and in case of a threatened
congestion of berries at any one place
he distributes them so as to avoid it.
The association keeps a record Of all
claims put into its hands and endeav-
ors to keep the truckers posted and
protect their interests"