Morris tribune., 1907-02-16
THE RECIPROCAL
DEMURRAGE BILL
ATTITUDE OF REPRESENTATIVE
Il. G. SpOONER.
Cores pOndent of the Nor thfield
News Thinks that Spoons r's
Actions on Demurrage BILL
Shows Definitely Where He
Stands.

This is from the Northfeld News:--
St. Paul, Feb. 4:-The consideration
of the Nolan Reciprocal Demurrage
bill in open meetings of the railroad
committee of the house of representa-
tives has given occasion for the smok-
ing out of it's chairman, Mr.. Spooner
of Morris. 1t can now be seon quite
definitely where he stands.
The bill was con- idered section by
section at meeting of the committee
a week ago. At that time no serious
objection was made to any Of its pro-
visions until the twelve section, pop
ularly referred to as the Klein amend
ment was reached. Before consider
ing the action on that, however, it
may not be out of place at this time
to present an abstract of the provis-
ions of the bill.
In the first place it is provided that
when application is made by a shipper
to railr DAD for cars, such cars must
be furnished a shipper if he lives at a
terminal point in forty eight hours, Or
if at an intermediate point, in seventy
two hours. In case cars are not fur
nished within the prescribed time rail-
roads are required to pay a dollar a
day on each car so delayed.
These cars when loaded must be
starte d towards their destination with
in twenty -four hours after the railroad
co mpany has heen notified that they
are ready. If not so started the rail-
road company incurs a penalty of a
dollar day on each car it fails to
move. The same rule applies at june
ton points. The connecting railroad
must pick cars up within twenty four
hours after they are set down or incur
the same penalty of a dollar day on
each car.
Provision is next made that the cars
must be moved towards their destina-
ton at the rate of sixty miles day.
The railroad failing to do this incurs
a penalty of a dollar a day for each
car.
When cars reach their destination
they must be delivered to the con
signee at the usual place of unloading
within twenty our hours. A penalty
of dollar day is imposed where this
provision is not complied with.
On the other hand when shippers
receive cars they must load them with
in forty eight hours or incur the pen
atty of dollar a day on each car.
When they reach their destination
they must be unloaded within forty
eight hours or seventy two hours, ac-
cording to the character of the freight
or the same penalty of one dollar a
day on each car attaches.
The succeeding sections are either
administrative or designed to preserve
to railroads and shippers the rights
they now enjoy until we come to sec
ton twelve, or the Klein amendment
which has proved d bone of conten'
ton from the day it was incorporated
in the bill.
This section provides that should {
consignor load cars within the pre-
scribed time of forty eight hours hi
shall be entitled to a credit from thu
railroad of a dollar day for each ola,
Of twenty four of this forty eight hour
free time unused, which credit he may
use as additional time for unloadin!
other cars still on his siding or car
to be received during the ensuin:
thirty days. The consignor in ik
manner by unloading some Of the car