Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-01-08
CAR SHORTAGE.
Destitution Caused by Utter Exhaus-
ton OF Fuel

Car shortage in the northwest still is q
burning topic with the people of that Sec
ton. or. rather. the trouble is that the sub
ject will not burn. and they have nothing
else that will. Dispatches have been re-
ceived by the interstate commerce commits
sion from several of the afflicted localities
saying that the relief promised by the rail-
roads has not appeared. James ]. Hill of
the Great Northern yesterday telegraphed
that he had started number of cars to the
distressed districts. But the farmers in
some localities are being driven into the
towns by utter exhaustion Of fuel. he
temperature ranges from 10 to 80 degrees
below zero. and the farmers near Mohall,
N. D., have chopped down q mile of teie-
phone poles for firewood.
A telegram received today from James J.
Hill Of the Great Northern does not agree
at all with the other reports the interstate
commerce commission has received of car
shortage in the northwest. Mr.. Hill says
that he has ordered all cases of fuel short
age to be reported promptly, and has heard
no complaints. He adds that several hun
bred cars of coal are now on their way to
the districts where the distress Is said to
prevail The telegram is as follows:
Messages received since yesterday.
Weather is still cold with high winds Yes
terday 1870 cars Of coal west from Larimore
IN. d.. Today moving 125. same territory.
With three feet loose unpacked snow on
work moving snow fences. Our agents are
instructed to report all cases to superin
tendents where there Is a shortage OF fuel,
and everything will be done to furnish re-
lief We have no such reports as reach
you. ]. J. HILL.
The SHOWS have been deep. and the rail-
roads have transported hundreds Of men
and miles Of portable snow fences to keep
the lines clear. but they have not been able
to supply coal and coal cars.
The Interstate commerce commission Is
now holding an important meeting in Chi
cago to inquire into the relations Of the
Great Northern and the Northern Pacific,
and 1t is possible that one or more of lae
this. hearing and sent into the affected dis
trict.
An important communication has been re-
ceived by the commission from Victor H.
Beckman. secretary Of the. Pacific Coast
Lumber Manufacturers Association in
which he says that he can give important
information as to discrimination and injus-
tice on the part of the Hill roads and facts
concerning the car shortage. In the course
of his letter Mr.. Beckman says:
Much evidence along the line of discrimi-
nation in the matter of rates and treatment
will be submitted in our complaint covering
the car shortage.
Il can show that on account of the dis
elimination against us in the Missouri river
territory our lumber Is being withheld from
entering the states of Nebraska, Kansas
and South Dakota, consuming annually
10000 carloads, of which our share is less
than 1000 carloads. The haul to Omaha is
only one mile greater than the haul to ST.
Paul yet the rate is 10 cents higher, which
makes a difference in price of So per 1000
feet
At the end of this week the majority of
the commission will return to Washington.
Commissioners Lane and Prouty, however,
will go to the Pacific coast and the Indian
territory to hold a series of hearings.