Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1907-09-05
THE WEEKLY TRIBUNE.
se~seR OF THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
TO PREVENT CAR SHORTAGE

TO PREVENT CAR SHORTAGE
Just what can be done to prevent
car shortage is a question the inter
state commerce commission is seek
ing to find out. There was a gen
eral car shortage last fall and win
ter, due to several causes. notably
the insufficient equipment OF the
roads for the largely increased bust
ness, to the great volume of crops
and to severe and unexpectedly diff
ficult winter for transportation com
panies. To some extent the crop
this fall can be estimated. The roads
have a better idea of the volume of
business they are likely to have and
have given more attention to discov-
ering what are the especial necessi-
ties of the region through which
Eey traffic The winter is an uncer-
hin quantity, but it is safe to say
y will not be so severe as last. So
Gnat conditions ought to be consid-
srably better the coming winter. 8.
local laws have been passed in the
states tending to enforce penalties
against the roads for failing to fur
ntsh cars within reasonable time
To what extent these laws can be
enforced remains to be seen. a num-
i Der of things will have to be taken
into consideration in inflicting pen
alties. Deliberate Withholding of
ears from shippers could no. doubt
be visited with heavy penalties. Dis.
elimination in furnishing cars can
also be penalized Whether penal
I ties can be inflicted for absolute im-
possibility of furnishing cars is an
open question We shall probably
have more light on the matter after
the rush traffic of the fall and win
ter.
ii Tt lis the disposition of the inter-
state commerce commission, so we.
are told, not to interfere with the ac--s
tual management Of the roads from
an operating standpoint, but to in
vestigate and point out as far as
can be learned where and when the
greatest necessities for cars will ex-
ist. The commission is inclined to-
ward conservatism, believing that the
desire of the roads to avoid further
extreme legislation by serving Ship
u pers as well as lies in their power,
will operate to give better service
4 than if there was an attempt to run
the roads from the standpoint OF the
officials of the roads and from that
& of the officials of the commission.
COMMISSIONS Lane is making a trip
west to investigate these, among
other questions and a statement made
Just before he left Washington is in
teresting. He says: II
So am going to look into the car
shortage matter as thoroughly as
possible. Anything can do to in
form the railroads of conditions sc
that they can meet the demands Of
shippers will do. The government
already has set an example to thu
people by ordering its fuel supply
for next winter early, and if a Goa
famine is to be prevented the com
ing season the example must be heed
ed
Conditions have been PARTIAL.
met already by the wholesale deal
ers at Duluth, who have put In larg.
y supplies Of coal by boat But th,
coal must be shipped from there Il
the west by rail The railroads hay,
complained that dealers have no
put in their orders early enough, ant
"a that they have not unloaded fas
enough. Still the railroads hav
promised more cars, and to what Ell
tent they have fulfilled their promis
es remains to be seen
N Last year the railroads were TAX
ssS en- unawares with regard to the equiv
ment that would be needed to NOV
u the crops. This year the early ex
8 peetation was that the crop move
rnent would call for far less atter
n ton, hut II develops that the WIea
crop after all is large and ther
is danger n consequence of ear sho1
fage unless special care be taken
IT Is important that coal be or
ssered not only before cold Weathe