The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-02-19
THE CAR SHORTAGE
ENORMOUS EXPENDITURES BEING MADE TO IMPROVE FACILITIES.
l.. q N., Says Milton H. smith, Presfaens, Has in View Improvements E;sti- mated at s1o0, 900 600, But Un-
 friendly Legislatioa Has
 Made Investors Timid.

Nashville American. ...,7
 Replies to the letter addressed recent ly by the Tennessee Railroad Commis- sion to the heads of various lines in the State regarding the prompt movement Of freight on their respective lines, shortage of cars and what action the companies were taking to meet the re- quirements of shippers, have been re- ceived and turned over to the Senate for use of the PenitentiaFy Committee in its consideration of the car shortage at Brushy Mountain. The letters are of general interest, dealing with a. subject about which much has been said. The letters, practically as a whole, recite or intimate large expenditures made by the various companies to meet conditions incident to enormous jndHstrial growth and activity. Covering the period inn mediately preceding and during the in. dustrial boom the expenditures given by the heads of the railroad properties are something enormous. The Louis vile and Nashville during the thirteen years ending June. 1906. has expended for. equipment, additions to property, hetterments. etc, nearly S75.0o0, 900. Since its existence the Southern Rail- way has expended in twelve years over $96,000,000. Delayed by the matter of lease of the Cincinnati Southern, un- til the middle of 1909. the Cincinnati, New Orleans and Texas Pacific since has spent approximately ss.oco,ooo in im- proving it's facilities,
 On the Illinois Central freight tom mage has increased in the past fifteen years 263.9S per cent. while the number of freight cars to handle this freight has increased. 291.65' per cent, the haul ing capacity of locomotives 346.sS per cent. and the tonnage capacity of cars 665. 35 per cent. ..g- s.-s
 hn Chairman Enloe and President Smith ia as follows: .-.
 State of Tennessee.
 ,. Railroad Commission.
 Nashville January 23, 1907. Mir. Milton H. Smith, President L. & N.
 R. R.. Louisville. Ky: ,.@
 Dear .Sir-The problem of moving which is attracting general attention. The general public is complaining of delays and losses occasloned by car shortage. ..a,
 This Commission desires informatio as to the conditions prevailing on the lines of your road, and the, causes for delays in moving freight from initial points Are the delays in moving freight attributable to car shortage alone, or to general industrial conditions that have produced freight for shipment in excess of the capacity of the railroads to han d1e it promptly7 :
 Is this condition due to a shortage of cars alone, or to a shortage of en- zines and tracks as well?
 Tn order that better understandins of prevailing conditions in the freight situation may be reached. we, will be obliged if you will state to what you at- tribute the congestion; what action your company has taken to meet the reuuIre- ments of the shippers over your lines and what. if any. steps have been ta- ken by your company looking to ade. quate and satisfactory service to your patrons in the future. -,-..
 Very truly yours,
 (signed) B, A. Enloe,
 - Chairman. Louisville & Nashville Railroad. Go, Presidents Od1ce,
 Louisville. Ky, January 3l, 1907 Hon. B. A. Enloe Chairman Railroad Commission of Tennessee, Nashville Tenn:
 Dear Sir-Your favor of the 2srd inst received here on the 25th. Other press, ing matters have prevented earlier at. tention. "
 You state that the general public i, complaining of delays and losses ueca. sioned by car shortage" and that ths Commission desires information as tC the conditions prevailing on the Louis vile and Nashville Railroad, and tn, causes for delays in moving freigh, from initial points," and you ask, "art the delays in moving freight attributa. ble to car shortage alone, or to general industrial conditions that have produced freight for shipment in excess of the capacity of the railroads to handle fl promptly" and Is the existing condi. tion due to shortage of cars alone, or to a shortage of engines and tracks al ] we'll" You also ask to what attribute the congestion, and what action the Louisville and Nashville Railroad Company has taken to meet the requlre' ments of shippers. and what steps have been taken looking to adequate and sat isfactory service in the future.
 The complaint Is so genevai that l car only give a general explanstion. SC complaints from shippers iu Tenresset 1 have reached me. except some indefinite statements that the shippers of phos' phate rock in the MouHt Pleasant dis trict have not always been furnished with fhc x2rhi pIo fpt,- hax