New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-07-21
CAR SERVICE INQUIRY.
DEMURRAGE PROBE, TOO.
Upstate Public SerUicc Board to
Hold Hearings Throughout State.
IBy Telegraph to The Tribune.I

70
Albany, July 20.-NOtces were sent to ship
pers and manufacturers all over the state by
the upstate Public Service Commission to-day
saying that an investigation of car service and
denE1rTage had been begun under the public
service commissions law. Under that law the
commission has broad authority 10 take up these
important subjects in every phase, 10 invest-
gate and 30 make and enforce regulations gov
erning the furnishing OF cars and their use and
6enurTage charges. .
I Hearings viii be held IN different parts of the
state at which the commission desires the at
Tendance Of shippers and manufacturers with
specific information. The inquiry will be d.
hected especially toward learning the exact con-
ditions as 10 car service and the particular feat
nres in which the railroads fail to meet the de-
1nands OF shippers. The subject Of demurrage
Sharges.. which underlies all this question, Will
mot obtain so much attention at first, the under
standing IS as the pursuit of knowledge which
viii show the exact faults OF the railroads ser
vice to shippers and small consumers and the
efforts to right these abuses Immediately
This inquiry. is the first subject of general i'm
portance taken ,up by the upstate commission.
1t Is which it Is known here, has engaged
Governor Hughesfs attention for careful study,
and the attention Of the commission was called
no the Importance of this problem early in its
existence. For several years complaints 10 the
iold Railroad Commission had been numerous,
ESPECIALLY from farmers and produce men and
Kmall manufacturers in outlying districts OF the
state. that cars never could be obtained as
promptly as.w2nted. nor frequently in the num-
Der desired. Farmers in some parts OF the
state have been forced 10 let valuable crops
spoil in part because they We're unable TO OBJ
tain proper transportation facilities to get their
products to a market. Another phase OF ms
subiect has been the delay to shippers by the
fidetracking of cars and the delaying Of cars
'consigned 10 manufacturers and dealers IN
smaller towns Sometimes complaints have
been made that freight was dumped on such
manufacturers By three and four cars at a
time swapping their facilitiesl for unloading
the cars and so>compelling themsto pay demur-
rage charges.
: At present practically the whole question Of
iCernIrrage and therefore practically of car ser
lEice in this state is in the hands Of three as
isociations whose members are the railroads.
hThey are the Central New York Car Service AS
ssociation with Offices in this city; the western
GGew York Car Service Association and the New
York and New Jersey car Service Association.
These organizations make the rules governing
demurrage charges. The various railroads.
through the Car Service Association, employ one
agent to collect demurrage charges for all, thus
putting the shipper into their hands even if he
has TWO or three railroads at his disposal.
Charges have been made that they frequently
establish an embargo" against producers, man
.ufacturers shippers in a certain part OF the
state Il the consignees Of these shippers are not
able or do not unload the promptly, thus
shutting Of the shipper on account Of the &C
tions Of persons entirely beyond his control. Ihe
old Railroad Commission never had any partlc-
llllar authority 70 deal with this subject, and
5altbol1gh l1,iairts OF all sorts were numerous
never took il up especially, though legislation
dealing with II was recommended.
The notice sent broadcast shippers by the
,corntuiss!on vas as follows:
Notice IS hereby given that this commission has
lunder,aAel 5he investigation OF car service ana
oe,nuVrage charges, pursuant 10 the PROVISIONS OF
On -T,a 1as-s .H-G ~
about Seuterlber /. 1901. public hearings VIII be
Given therein The general object Of such hearings
IS enable The commission to ascertain the actual
WORKINGS Of the rules and regulations adopted. and
now force. IN these matters by corporations OPP
.ersting the Second District. the grievances OF
shippers and consignees and the most practica bic
methods Of IedressiIg any such grievances tel-
sons and corporations desiring 10 be heard are re
specially requested 70 collect co!late anu {
facts which they think proper TO be brought 10 te
alte-llloh o. liz N>-'' ~ -
and orderly form possible vague or general 49,
,nents viii be OF no assistance TO the commission.
and VIII tend 10 delay rather than expedite the IN
Information is desired upon the following points.
which are suggested. as a few OF many Tor me
purpose OF indicating that parties having siles ~
should state clearly the specific grounds OF com
plant and offer concise suggestions, II any as 10
Ca) To what extent have shippers and receivers of
freight suffered % from punching of cars on de
livery. % from failure 70 furnish cars win a rea
eonable promptness. go from failure 10 forward
cars with proper dispatch.
Cbl what rules should be adopted to cover the
(c( Should the local agent be permitted for any
reason 10 extend the free time allowed for 4oadlhg
and unloading, and II so, for what reason
ID What extension Of free time should De per
raitted by reason Of weather conditions.
Those interested in the proposed inquiry Mlll be
guided by the following suggestions;
/ Hearings will be had in various places IN the
state TO be designated by the commission Ample
5ooce Of the times places will be given through
ffbe public press and in such other manner as IS
deemed most adequate
2 Persons and organizations desiring hearing
at snv given place should file written Application
therefor at once to enable the commission 10 ar
range q schedule Of hearings.
g. Persons desiring TO present for consideration
any proposed rule or regulation should formulate
the same and submit five copies thereof. together
with a written statement Of the reasons favorable
10 its adoption
4 Railroads and car service managers will be re-
ouired to prepare and furnish tabulated informa-
don regarding practical workings OF the rules
NOW IN force by the respective companies. ANY
leuegeson as TO desired 10 be supplied by the
RAILROADS and car service managers should be sub
United at once.
g. Ali communicated IN respect hereto should
refer 10 Circular No. 3" and be addressed TO the
secretary Of Public Service Commission of the I'd
District, Capitol Albany