The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1906-12-06
CONCERNED ABOUT
THE CAR SHORTAGE
AUTHORITY OF COMMERCE COM.
MISSION Is DOUBTFUL.
CHAIRMAN kNAPP's VIEW
Cannot Directly Force Railways to
Furnish Adequate Equipment,
but VIII Investigate
I the Matter.

washington, Dec. 6.-The tnten-
tons and attitude of the interstate
commerce commission respecting the
car shortage in the northwest are
made clear in the following letter ad-
dressed to Senator Hansbrough by
Chairman Knapp:
"The inability of shippers to secure
cars for the movement Of their traf-
fic Is reported from various parts Of
the country, and amounts in some
sections, as you observe, to almost a
calamity. This matter has given the
commission special concern, although
we appear to be without any adequate
authority to deal with such a situa-
ton, We can exercise no direct pow
er TO compel interstate carriers to fur
nish adequate equipment, nor are we
prepared at this time to recommend
specific legislation upon this subject.
II a given carrier unjustly discrim-
mates between shippers in distribut-
ing its car supply, we could undoubt.
edly make an enforcible order Of re
lief after investigating a complaint
and giving the carrier hearing. We
could also PERHAPS award reparation
for damages resulting from failure to
supply sufficient care, but our power
TO do SO is not altogether certain.
! Better to Sue In Courts.
Moreover, any award made by us
in proceeding brought for that pur-
pose would establish only a prima
facie case against the carrier in a suit
brought in the federal courts to en-
force the order. Inasmuch as such a
proceeding goes upon the theory of
awarding damages, 1t would seem to
be rather more suitable and efficient
for aggrieved shippers to bring their
suits in the courts in the first in
stance
we have, however, ordered an In
'vestigation of this matter of car
shortage, and will prosecute it with
the utmost dispatch. Already one or
more agents have been sent to the
northwest, and it is expected that
hearings will take place in that region
within the next two weeks. This ap-
pears to be the most effective course
the commission can take, and you
may be assured that everything will
be done within the scope of our au-
thority to bring about the earliest
possible relief"
Stirred Up by Hansbroush.
Senator Hansbrough has written
several letters to the commission call
ing attention to the car shortage, de-
claring the situation to be so serious
as to amount almost to calamity in
some sections and asking the scope
of the commissions authority to
bring about some relief. He expressed
the opinion that II the commission
should enter the field of investigation
at once and call in representatives of
the parties Immediately concerned,
there would be no great difficulty in
locating the blame, If any, and in
bringing about improved traffic facili-
ties through which the grain raisers
of the northwest especially would be
assisted in loading their products to
market.
Improvement Is Seen.
Minneapolis, Mimi, Dec. 5.-Further
evidence of the beginning of better
railroad service in the congested area
is shown in the table for Tuesdays
grain receipts in which wheat coming
into Minneapolis exceeds the total OF
a week ago by 113 cars, but the guam
;tity moved in by the roads traversing
North Dakota's blocked territory
shows an increase of IA cars.
Coal dealers are ready to cooperate
with grain producers and shippers of
the northwest in seeking to prevent a
repetition of the transportation condi.
tions Of this year. Through its official
organ, the Northwestern Coal Dealer,
it is announced that the coal dealers
association is ready to undertake rad
ical measures to secure relief by ask.
ing federal interference.