New-York tribune., 1906-08-28
FRUIT GROWERS GAIN.
RESULT OF RATE BILL.
Union Pacific WiU Install Its Oson
Refrigerator Cars.

AS direct consequence Of the provisions OF
the rate bill the Union Pacific Railway has de-
termined to install it's own system of refrigera-
tor cars. Heretofore the Armour private car
lines have had monopoly of this business over
the Union Pacific and Southern Pacific with all
the profitable California fruit trade.
The Union Pacific yesterday opened bids for
the construction of six thousand steel underbody
refrigerator cars and is likely TO ask for bids
for another lot soon. The Atchison. which has
been operating its own refrigerator cars, and tho
st. Paul are understood also TO be in the mar
ket for cars
This assurance of competition with the private
car lines is one of the first and most noticeable
results of the rate BILL which will go into effect
to-day Indicating. as it does the possibility Of
an ultimate downfall of the private car lines.
save in so far they may be used by large
producers, it was hailed in the financial dis
trict as one of the most important and far
reaching developments in the traffic situation
In many months.
That the Union Pacific should be the first TO
begin the movement was considered significant
in view Of its practical control with its sister
road. the Southern Pacific. Of the great Cali
fornia fruit territory. and the monopoly which
the Armour lines had of transporting the Calf
fornia fruit crop. The general opinion is that
tho Armour cars will still be run as usual. No
information on this phase of the subject could
be obtained from the Union Pacific officials. who
declined to discuss the new departure.
Under the provisions of the rate BILL railroads
VIII be compelled, on reasonable request TO fur
nish transportation facilities and accommoda-
tions Of this nature and the schedules of charres
must be filed with the Interstate Commerce
Commission The schedules OF the private car
lines must also be filed with the commission
since they, under the rate bill. are subject TO
the Jurisdiction of the commission.
One of the chief outcries raised asairs. ~,
private car companies has been because OF the
rresuiarity OF the charges for re-icing the cars
While the lowest charges. the opponents of tbosa
lines have maintained in private and public pro-
tests were too great, frequently. without appar-
ent reason, the charges would be doubled or
tripled according to the shippers, and thev haa
redress.
The California fruit growers have IN usa -a
frigerator cars to get oranges apples. pIurs
pears. peaches and the like TO the Eastern y,ar
kets Until now they have been practically ar tho
mercy OF the ArmOurs because of the comnao,
which that company had with the Union pao,ao
and Southern Pacific
The growers protested frequently 10 the Ar
mour concern against the arbitrary methods
used In fixing charges. and finally filed COM
plants with the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion. which then had no control OF the private
car lines. Little doubt exists here in circles IN
touch with the situation that the fruit growers
individually and as a body had determined 20
lodge complaints with the commission as soon
as the rate bill went into effect
Now, however. the railroads themselves will
own the refrigerator cars and the schedules OF
prices for car hire and icing must be made pub
lie. Further. these rates WIFI be subject % the
supervision Of the commission II the private
car lines. which also must establish uniform
rates. had any disposition 20 continue high
charges. ordinary business competition would
compel them 10 reduce the charges TO the basis
OF those fixed by the railroads