Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-12-24
Warned to Keep Hands Off Of
Car Shortage Legislation For
Peoples Benefit
REMEDY LIES WITH CONGRESS
Commissioners Clark Offers Some sus-
sestions Relative to Relieve Present
Conditions and Prevent Their Re-
ourrence-special Message May Be
Forthcoming on Subject.

washington, Dec. z4.-lu N1iHhesoso'
the Dakotas, Montana, Idaho. Wash
ington and Oregon, and in the states OF
the southwestern fact, everywhere IN
the car shortage zone-there are signs
that state legislatures. which are TO
meet early in January, purpose giving
careful attention 10 the shortage ques-
ton. with a view to enacting laws. IL
is the opinion Of the interstate COM
mission that such action will not bring
relief. and that 1t ought not to be tax
on. The commission holds that the
onlv effective remedy lies in congress,
to which it will make an appeal with
executive backing in the form OF
special message, and it expresses the
hone that state legislatures will, to use
slang expression, keep off the grass
with a view to obtaining an express
sion of opinion from the commission,
Yesterday had talk with y. II. clark,
one of it's members. In answer to the
question. What can the legislatures
of Minnesota, the Dakotas and Mon
tana do this winter to help the inter-
state commerce commission relieve the
car shortage situation?" Mr.. Clark re-
piled:
Estate legislatures ought not to do
anything. My fear is that any inde-
pendent action on the part OF state au-
thorities will only make very bad sit
uation worse Even congress can give
=, off in tim
| to relieve the present crisis.
"In my opinion, the thing to 90 now
| is to leave the commission to handle
the case as best it can under it's pres
ent authority. We can use moral sua-
sion with the railroads. ana we are do
ing that
$50 far as the future is concerned. I
believe that steps will be taken to pre-
vent recurrence Of the shortage trou-
BILE. The remedy, as see 1t, rests pri-
marily with congress, and not with
state legislatures. I have advised
congressman in formal hearings only
recently that broader legislation may
well be enacted to give the commission
a more comprehensive grasp. have
told them that a law should be made
giving the commission pretty thorough
control Of the conditions under which
freight cars may be used Such legis-
lation should provide that the commits
sion may make rules covering the dis
tribution by the railroads Of cars to
shippers, and covering also the obliga-
tons which the shippers shall be under
in their use of cars thus furnished.
The legislation should give the COM
mission power to regulate demurrage
charges.
"That there are too few cars for the
needs Of the country cannot be ques-
toned. But that is not the entire cause
of the difficulty. The shippers them
selves, the very men who are making
the most stir about the car shortage,
contribute to it in no small degree. A
more prompt unloading Of cars would
help greatly.
Representative. Marshall, of North
Dakota, who went home to help the
commission gather evidence for the
Minneapolis hearing, favors reciprd-
cal demurrage bill, and will probably
be ready to introduce one after the hol-
iday recess. He had this in mind before
going west. as was noted in this corr
respondence. Mr.. Marshall is making a
study OF the entire question, and the
bill which he will offer will be entitled
to q respectful hearing.