The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-01-03
RAILROAD NEWS.
Cause for Car Shortage Found
But Not the Cure.
Hearing of Interstate Commerce
Commission Held at Chicago.
REPORT is NOW FILED.
Special Recommendations viii
Follow Later.
Gossip and Matters Of Interes
in Railroad Circles.

Washington, Jan. 3.-The causes but
not the cure, for the car shortage in the
Northwest and the consequent coal
famine in North Dakota have been de-
termined by the members of the inter
state commerce commission participate
ing in the recent hearing at Chicago
and Minneapolis. Franklin K. Lane,
who served as chairman of the investi-'
cation committee today filed his report
with the full commission and sent it to
President Roosevelt who ordered the in
quiry. He finds: I'D ,sv 49, !
1t is fair inference from all the
testimony that the real cause of the
coal scarcity in North Dakota was such
an abundance Of wAstbound traffic an
the head Of the lakes that cars Were
that terminal for the carrying of coal
to North Dakota-a comparatively short
haul for low class commodity.
In his letter of transmission to the
president Mr.. Lane says the. report will
be followed in due course by the special
recomm endation of the commission as
whole as to whatever legislature, If any,
may be deemed advisable. ..'rr
Referring to the report that the coal
shortage was due to the presence of a
trust or combination between dealers
in coal which fixed prices in the North
west and refused to sell to outsiders,
and irregulars,- the report says
THE commission has gained -.indis-
putable proof of an agreement between
coal dealers TO MAINTAIN Prices anu 10
boycott. all who did not so, agree, but
there is no evidence at all jus tffying the
contention that this combination is
chargeable with the coal shortage pre-
vailing, nor that the railroads were
party in such a way to such a cons
spiracy.'
The report first deals with the coal
famine in North Dakota and presents
existed in that state. The remedies
which the commissioner purposes to
work out include a proposed plan for
car, clearing house or car pool and re-
ciprocal car demurrage.
Financial loss to a large percentage of
the people of the Northwest is shown
to have been caused by the failure of
the railroads to prepare for large
movement of grain. Mr.. Lane shows
that the railroad tapping the. great
grain belt of the Northwest seem to-
have been overwhelmed by this years
crop, although in fact the crop scarce
ly exceeded that of 1905 nor did it equal
that of at least one other preceding
year.
In considering the evidence taken.
Commissioner Lane says a plan for a
proposed car clearing house or a car
pool between connecting lines is re-
garded with much favor, the details of
such a plan have not been worked out.
Car appropriation between carriers Is
treated at some length and the adoption
of a rule is suggested fixing minimum
of so cents a day during those months
creasing this possibly four fold during
the latter half of the year when cars
are most needed. The most generally
advocated remedy for the failure of car
riers to furnish cars when demanded is
known as reciprocal car demurrage.
This phrase means. in a word, that
carriers shall be penalized on failure
to furnish cars demanded and it arises
out of the universal railroad practice
of imposing per diem penalty when a
car Is held by a conSignee for unload
ing beyond a certain fixed number of
days.
The commissioners say this plan
alone would not overcome the trans
portation difficulties if the measure
merely provided for Furnishing, the
railroad for nonplacing OF. cars or non
thereof. Mr.. Lane in his
sums up the conclusion OF the
in the following:
1.-The problem is one that is much
deeper and much broader than mere
lack of cars and engines. 1t is one IN
which is involved every factor in rail-
roa ding, the constructions operating,
and financing of the \
road The inability of the Shipper to
secure a car may be only a symptom
The real cause of car shortage may lie
in the too conservative character of
the management of the road or in the
unfitness and incompetency Of It's
operatives. 1t may follow from an in
comprehension on the part of the d.
rectors of the full duty imposed by
law on a common carrier. 1t may
arise out of a policy in railroad opera
ton which gives primary eonsidera-
1t may come from an inability to Sc
~ f5- 49, s4e