East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1907-02-02
CAR SHORTAGE
FELT EVERYWHERE
THE EAST SUFFERS AS
WE'LL AS THE WEST.
Shippers Are Damaged by the Delay
of Products-Crops Which Have
Been Held for Winter shipment
Cannot Now Be Moved Owing TO
the Scarcity of Rolling Stock.

A New York correspondent OF the
Chicago Packer writes as follows of
the crop condition and car shortage
in the east:
Complaints from shipping districts
all over the eastern country about the
car shortage are being received in
greater number now than at any time
this winter and untold damage is be-
ing done to the potato, apple and
onion business. In New York state,
New England and as far west as Ohio
the shortage of cars is felt in this
market.
The potato and apple outlook from
speculative point of view has not
been any too good at best. The apple
deal, in particular, is fraught with
many misgivings on the part of hold
ers. Potato stocks are also heavy
gradually in order to keep from ex-
periencing a continued glut at heavy
receiving points.
The fact that shippers have been
unable to get cars with which to move
their stock has placed the situation
in an utterly demoralized condition.
Several big operators in apples, whose
headquarters are in New York and
who have considerable fruit stored In
the western part of the state. say that
they have orders for 25 to so cars of
| fruit ahead on the books which should
have immediate attention. but they
cannot get the cars with which to do
It.
rl,t In, Natn ~ n a
western part of the state have been
calling in vain for cars. Most of the
cars are being used now in Maine for
the moving of seed stock. In western
New York state many big shippeSs
have got to write apology after apol-
ogy to their customers for not filling
contracts in time. They have orders
in for cars, but are unable to get
them.
One big western New York apple
operator, who was in the city this
week. told the Packer man that he
had been behind in filling his orders
from Is to 80 DAYS since the first OF
December. This is because he could
not get the railroad companies to
furnish him with cars.
Inc Slludllon on tne New 1oTh Ntll-
trail and its branch lines gets worse
every year. Along the Falls branch
of the New York Central are located
probably more and larger cold and
common storehouses than on any
branch road which runs through q
fruit and vegetable shipping district
The rotten service which the New
York Central has given these people
this winter is n disgrace to any rail
road system and steps should be taker
to resent It. It seems that no accom-
modations whatever have been pro
vided for these heavy shippers. The!
have got to stand by in idleness will
the winter wearing away and heav!
sales made of their perishable stocks
vet with no way on earth of makini
deliveries.
The car situation, indeed, coul'
never have equalled the present stu
alton in former years. even in tn
most inclement weather. The winter
so far, in New York state and in tn
east generally has been practically
mild one. There have been no heav
and continuous SHOWS to speak OF t
: retard traffic, and the only excus
=. that the New York Central has for M
taking care Of its patrons is It's ina
; bility to handle the business whic
:, originates along this line.