Evening journal., 1906-12-08
ROADS SHORT OF
FREIGHT CARS
B. & 0. R. R. Unable TO
Move All the Freight
Offered
NEW FINE RULE IN EFFECT

The shortage OF cars now being ex-
perienced by all Of the large railroads
Of the country is said not to be due so
much 60 an actual lack OF equipment
as to the inability to have cars re-
turned promptly by other roads after
leaving the lines Of the owners. All
Of the large railroads now have an
immense amount Of freight to be NOV
ed, and the increased tonnage Is being
reelected in earnings. Because of the
inability to furnish all the cars asked.
some Of the industrial concerns in va
rious sections Of the country are I'M
able to increase their OUTPUT. and
many large coal operators have dim
Guilty In securing a sufficient car sup
ply to take care Of their contracts
without seeking new business.
3. & o. A Sufferer.
The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
is one of the roads on which the
freight business has increased enor-
mously this year, and, while there is
now a scarcity Of cars, it is said that
the road would have an ample supply
IL It had on Its own lines the cars
bearing its name. The Baltimore and
Ohio owns in the neighborhood Of
10000 freight cars, and of this num-
Der il is said that nearly $4,000 are
now on the lines OF other roads, while
the cars Of other companies now N
Baltimore and Ohio lines are under
stood to number about 10000. The
reason that the number OF Baltimore
and Ohio cars on other lines is so
much greater than the number of for
eign cars on its own road is due to the
fact that more freight originates on
the Baltimore and Ohio than comes to
/ It from other railroads.
New Rule in Effect.
Beginning with December 1, a new
rule went into effect with regard to
the use OF cars Of other roads For
merlys 25e cents a day was charged
for each car after It left the line Of
the owner. and after 30 days there
was a penalty of 81 a day for each
day Il was on the foreign road. Now
about half Of the big companies have
entered into an agreement by which
so cents a day is charged for every
day car Is off the line of the owner.
This rule will be enforced by COM
mittee OF railway officials representing
the big trunk lines.
It is likely that the question will
be discussed by the American Railway
Association at its next convention and
a rule adopted which will prevent small
roads from using the equipment Of the
big systems. ...l.--
Little Roads to Blame.
Until recently. it is said, some OF
the small roads have made a practice
of Selling the equipment Of the big
fellows during the busy season. It was
cheaper to pay 25 cents a day for the
use Of a car than to buy more equip
ments After the cars had been or
its lines Tor 80 days the small road
would return them to the lines Of the
lowners to avoid the penalty, and Their
cars of another road would be used
The new rule, however, is designed tc
prevent this, and Il is said that the
small roads could not proftably US,
cars Of the big companies at the new
rate.
All Of the big companies have mer
known as car tracers, who are sent GU
to look up cars when they are not re.
turned promptly. Railroads are in con.
slant communication with each othei
regarding cars. and as usual thin,
they find their way back to the line.
! Of the owner within at least 80 day
4 after having left them, and il seldom
, happens that they are entirely lost
, though sometimes this occurs.
Nearly all Of the large railroad
. have ordered new freight equipmen
during the year. and as a result tn,
car-equipment companies have order
, booked for several months ahead