The sun. (Jacksonville, Fla.) 1905-1908, 1906-09-29

II WM again, the people VINO nave D6en SuH6f-
ing from the effects of the congestion OF
ID VI freight terminals In Jacksonville, and
this includes a large percentage or the
business people Of the State. may comfort them
selves with the thought that something may be
done for their relief
Commissioner Browne has finished reading the
report of Commissioner Burr on the testimony
taken by Mr.. Burr In Jacksonville, and Commits
soner Morgan, who arrived in Tallahassee several
days after Mr.. Browne, has by this time no doubt
turned the last OF the 223 pages OF that transcript
Next in order will be consultation among the
three commissioners, then a decision on the right
thing to do and lastly the order putting the decs-
ion into effect
Commissioner Burr, who has been active in this
important matter during the past two months, has
gone carefully over the testimony gathered In Jack
sonville and has submitted his report to the other
members of the commission. This report covers
In clear and concise manner the conditions as
brought out In the testimony and Is submitted
herewith, as another chapter of the story of Con-
gestion," which THE SUN handled first of all
newspapers, and by printing this true and accurate
story was the means of inducing Commissioner
Burr to make personal visit to Jacksonville
Commissioner Burrs Report.
Tallahassee, Fla, Aug. 18TH 1906.
Hon. Jefferson B. Browne, Hon. John L. Morgan,
Commissioners, Tallahassee.
Gentlemen:--In accordance with agreement
that should make an investigation of the con-
vile, have the honor to report that visited Jack
sonville on the 18th day OF July, and at once COM
menced looking into the situation there examining
the terminals and looking up lumber dealers in
order to summon them to appear and give testi-
mony on the 18th and 14th. In addition to the
lumbermen, several wholesale grocery dealers and
brokers appeared voluntarily and were examined
also summoned a number of officials of the At
lantic Coast Line, the Seaboard Air Line and the
ST. Johns River Terminal Companies, who appear
ed and gave testimony. All of these witnesses
were examined under oath, and the testimony then
taken, consisting of two hundred and twenty
three (223) pages, and exhibits attached thereto
are herewith appended and made part OF this re-
port The testimony herein referred to reveals
the fact that on the 18th and 14th of July, there
were, approximately thirty-fve million (35,OOO.
OO0) feet of lumber on the several docks and re-
naming on cars In the yards in the port Of Jack
sonvile. At various times Il has been stated to
this Commission, by representatives of the Sea-
board Air Line and the Atlantic Coast Line, when
discussing the matter OF the crowded condition OF
yards and terminals at Jacksonville and the failure
Of these roads to furnish cars to mills promptly for
the movement Of this lumber, that they had been
unable to prevent the congested condition in the
terminals, and also to furnish cars to mills for the
prompt movement of lumber, because the lumber
brokers at the port failed to discharge their cars
promptly In order that they might be put into SER
vice. The testimony attached reveals almost
without exception, that the lumber dealers have
been ready and willing to discharge their cars
holding the cars under load would deliver them to
the points ordered for discharging and the accu-
mutation has been caused, not by their failure to
promptly discharge, but their inability to get the
railroads to make deliveries.
This lumber business is handled by cargoes,
ranging from two hundred and fifty thousand feet
to several hundred thousand feet, and the lumber
merchants at Jacksonville may have orders for
from one to a halfdozen cargoes These orders
are placed with different mills ali the State
and are numbered, the order going forward from
the mills being stenciled with the particular cargo
number that 1t belongs to, and the several cargoes
being sold, In great many instances, to different
firms and, In most cases. in different markets
Sailing vessels are chartered with view TO
their capacity to take certain cargo. These yes
sells have to be chartered In the Northern ports
and take some time to arrive at Jacksonville.
They are chartered to take cargo on a certain
date; they have many lay days after they arrive
In port after which, II their cargoes are not COM
pleted. they go upon demurrage which Is to be paid
by the lumber shippers for each day that the yes
sells are detained in port beyond their lay days