Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-12-19
Farmers in North Dakota Burning Build
inEV t. Keep from Pressing.
RAILROAD CARRIES SMALL SUPPLY
Hill officials Say Road Never Hss Nor
Than Enough Fuel for isw Days
PRESIDENT INTERESTED IN SITUATION
Chief Executive COnsults Senator
Hansbrough and wiII Give the
Question His Personal
Attention.

MINNEAPOLIS, Dec 1s.-The Interstate
Commerce commission, which IL investiga-
ting the car and coal shortage In the
northwest, has ben startled by the replies
received to the kilograms Of inquiry sent
out to the country which is suffering from
lack of fuel, as we'll as lack Of cars 20
transport grain to market. A scarcity OF
fuel, widespread, far-reaching in effect and
serious in the extreme, is indicated by the
commissions reports, which also show that
there has been no general Overstatement
Of the situation. The testimony today re-
garding car shortage delays In transit and
the effect has brought out matter indicating
n condition Of Affairs In the general sense
even more worthy of attention than the
commission had at first supposed when they
decided to take up the inquiry.
James j. Hill, president OF the Great
Northern railroad, arrived late today to
attend the hearing and appear as wit
ness but, owing TO the lateness Of the
hour, It was decided that Mr.. Hill would
be called tomorrow morning.
The commission had sent out kilograms
of inquiry to many points asking as to
the coal supply The kilograms which
poured in today made It clear that the
commission had acted none too quickly
in securing the promise of cooperation by
coal companies and railroads, for in some
localities farmers have been burning fences
and outbuildings and valuable lumber had
been cut into fuel 90 keep people from
freezing. Farmers who came in numbers
from North Dakota told the commission
how wheat prices have been depressed abb
normally because elevators were full and
they had either to sacrifice its price or
haul Il home again.
The commissioners expressed themselves
aa afartled At sorna Of the ranOr4a
One of the star witnesses for tho railroads
was L. w. Bowen, superintendent of the
Great Northern at Willmar. Mr.. Bowen
said his road kept only a few days ahead
on coal supply, that the smallest margin
this fall had been twenty-four hours the
widest two weeks He said that the car
situation hac never been interfered with, as
steel, hopper-bottom cars had been used
for the coal.
'Do you believe the reports of car short
aee are untrus7'' asked the court
No; do not But do think that the
reports do not indicate as great blame
for tho railroad companies as generally
believed"
President Roosevelt Interested.
WASHINGTON. Dec. 1S.-That President
Roosevelt has taken determined interest
with a view to finding legislative remedy
for the car shortage in the northwest.
which now threatens the people with freez-
ing and starvation because the railroads
are unable to transport fuel and food to
them. was indicated by q conference at
the White House today.
Ths president sent for Senator Hans
brough and asked him whether the actual
danger Of suffering Is great as has been
reported by press dispatches and tele-
grams from individuals. The North Da-
Lnt tod fhaf fCh a
he had received the statement Of condi-
tions in his state, Minnesota and South
Dakota has not been exaggerated.
The president promised to give the uues-
tion his personal attention, with a view to
alleviating any immediate suffering, and
said he desired Senator Hansbrough to de-
vote his time and thought to some legisla-
tive remedy, in order to avoid recurrences
OF present conditions
Evidence Taken I'm st. Louis.
ST. LOUIS, Dec. 1S-The Interstate Com
meroe commission convened in the federal
building today and began an investigation
into the shortage OF freight cars. The
hearing is expected TO conclude tomorrow
afternoon, when the members Of the COM
mission will go to Kansas City and resume
the investigation.
Commissioner c. A. Prouty presided and
witnesses were examined by p. ]. Farrell
attorney for the commission.
Prior TO the opening OF the session Com
missioner Prouty said;
"The Interstate Commerce commission Il
here TO ascertain. II possible. II the short
age OF freight cars Is due TO a scarcity OF
engines or TO improper management on the
part OF railroads. We expect to fix the
responsibility and then try to remedy It,"
Martin L. Clardy, general attorney for
Wha
half OF the railroads.
J. c. Lincoln, commissioner OF the Mer
chants Exchange Traffic bureau, was thS
first witness. He declared that the delay
IN the movement OF freight was due not 81
much TO an insuficiency OF cars as TO 8
lack OF motive power and facilities fol
handling the cars. TIe emphasized tn,
need Of better joint trahlc facilities tc
eliminate delays at Junction points.
c. d. Johnson who is connected with
companies that operate lumber mills II
Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas, testified
that there had been a very great shortag,
OF cars during the last three months
This is the worst shortage / have evel
known" he said. The embargo which
roads employ TO keep the cars from leavin,
their own lines Is as bad as a car famine
], II. Allen. a cotton commission rner
chant. brother Of Private John" Allen O.
Tupelo, Mss. testified that his conpap,
had very great difhcuity in procuring car
20 remove the cotton from the southerI
fields to the markets He said: ''The rail
HRses do not pull together and they hav,
Ast pAspsTSd for the great prosperity OF th,
Senntry"
Car Makers Behind Orders.
Vice President Mcbride OF the American
Car and Foundry company testified tn
manufacturers OF cars had increased Is De
cent In quantity and 50 per cent In quaiit,
IN the past few years
Mr.. Mcbride said that his company wa
about six weeks behind In the delivery o
its orders. but that the capacity Of il
plant was mortgaged for future deliver,
about nine months.
Suppose you had an order for 10o0O car
5C,oT,t,,,s6 ~, saoo,a pa.y.N