Omaha daily bee., 1907-09-04
New Legislation May Follow His In.
vestigation on Subject.
WORK TO START AT CHICAGO
General officers of Companies to Be
Questioned by Official.
COAL SITUATION TO BE STUDIED
Effort VIII He Made TO Cause Rail-
way Managers 90 Provide Cars
Enough TO Move
Freight

CHICAGO, Sept. "A special to the
Record Herald from Washington says:
Interstate Commerce Commissioner
Franklin X Lane will leave Washington
tomorrow for a protracted tour of the west.
which is likely to bear very important re-
suits. In addition to looking into the
matter Of how thoroughly certainbig rail-
road systems have been living up to the
antl-rebate provisions OF the rate law, Mr..
Lane will devote particular attention to
the car shortage situation with a view to
preventing a recurrence of the deplorable
conditions that existed last winter.
Perhaps the shortage feature ought
TO be given prominence in connection with
Mr.. Lanes errand, as his Investigations.
together with the eaTnestness of the rail
roads In keeping their promises to furnish
better service to shippers may have a great
deal to do with indicating the need of
further legislation affecting transportation
at the coming session of congress. The
commissioner undoubtedly will use his in
fiuence to have the carriers meet the de-
msnds OF the western country and prevent
II possible agitation to force more drastic
legislation than already has been enacted.
Exhaustive STUDY 10 he Made.
Mr.. Lane will reach Chicago Wednesday
afternoon and will spend Thursday in the
latter city discussing conditions with gen
eral officers of some OF the lines centering
there. lie then will go to st. Paul, for a
conference with officers of the Northern
Pacific and Great Northern roads, intending
to talk personally with James J. Hin II the
latter be at home From st. Paul he will
go to Spokane, Seattle and Portland, and
thence down the Pacific coast looking
mnutely into affairs embracing the Harri-
man lines-the Union and Southern Pacific
The whole trip will consume five or six
weeks, the car shortage situation affecting
cotton and lumber in the south being
looked into on the return journey.
Agents of the Interstate Commerce com
mission quietly have been investigating
the observance of the new law provisions
by the railroads OF the far west and Com
missioner Lane viii meet them and get
their reports.
~ am going to look into the car shortage
matter as thoroughly possible" said
Commissioner Lane today Anything
can do to inform the railroads of condi-
tlons so that they meet the demand
OF shippers | will do. The government
already has set example to the people
by ordering its fuel supply for next winter
early, and II coal famine is to be pre-
vented the coming season the example musi
be needed
The Coal situation.
Conditions have been partially met al
ready by the wholesale dealers at Duluth
who have put in large supplies of coal by
boat But tho coal must be shipped from
there TO the west by rail. The railroads
have complained that dealers have not put
In their orders early enough, and that they
have not unloaded fast enough. Still the
railroads have promised more cars and tc
what extent they have fulfilled their prom
ises remains to be seen.
Last year the railroads were taken un
awares with regard to the equipment tha
would be needed to move the crops. This
year the early expectation was that tn,
crop movement would call for less atten
tion, but It developed that the wheat croI
after all is large and there is danser II
consequence of car shortage unless specia
care be taken.
at is important that coal be ordered no
only before cold weather sets In but be
fore the crop movement begins, the lattei
part Of October and November The rail
roads have been building new track, estab
fishing new division points and extending
their yards and switching facilities.
don't know to what extent this has beer
uoie us the IdllIoaus nave complained O
inability to get steel and lumber and rolling
stock, and It has been hard. so they claim
TO get money to carry out all contemplated
improvements.
Suggestions to Managers.
The commission cannot direct railroad
officials how to manage their roads, but q
may be possible to make suggestions tha
will help both the roads and the shippers
by reducing the chances of car shortag,
10 a minimum
Unless the railroads are able 10 give tn,
shippers better treatment than they hav,
] In the past sometimes there is almost sur,
ia result agitation for legislation that will
give the commission greater power thar
II now has Much OF the restrictive rail
road legislation in the individual states tha
has been enacted recently is due TO the re
fex action OF grievances complained OF by
shippers,
In the south a continuance OF car short
age conditions affecting lumber and cottor
viii force a demand for reciprocal de
murrage laws and laws prescribing tn,