The Washington herald., 1908-08-02
EMPTY CARS NEED REPAIRS
Railroad Companies Find in 1t Plea
for Higher Rates.
Situation Discussed from Standpoint
of Practical Cost of
Operation.

Recently statements have appeared in
the daily press TO the effect that apProxi-
mateIy fourth Of the 512.551 idle cars
reported in the latest statement Of the
American Railway Association stand in
need Of more or less repair before they
may be considered as thoroughly service
able While this statement is probably
excessive. il IS matter OF common
knowledge that owing 20 the necessity
for drastic economy IN all branches OF
the railway service. and OF the great ex-
cess OF equipment over demand. the car
riers have in numerous instances de-
ferred repairing their rolling stock until
traffic begins 10 show more decided signs
Of Improvement.
While the number of cars AZ the pres
ert time in imperfect condition is unques-
ticEably large. it hardly justi1es the press
criticisms that should there turn out 70
be a car shortage before the end Of the
year il viii be because the railroads have
not taken advantage Of the duh times 70
place their rolling stock IN good condi-
tion rather than 70 an actual lack Of a
sufficient number of cars 20 NEE, traffic
requirements.
On the contrary. railroad officials are
keenly alive 20 any change tn the trade
situation looking 90 increased tonnage
and unless a return 90 normal conditions
occurs with an unprecedented rush. Who'll
" unwarraute5 by present Indications
the railroads VIII have ample notice and
time 70 place in couditic1 all the cars
which now stand in need Of repair
Furthermore. many q these repairs are
Of minor Importance and under a sharr
4 demand could be accomplished in quick
order Il Is safe 70 assume therefore
that II a car shortage does develop f. the
fall or winter months Il viii not b
. through any ueE-l lEe-ce on the part OF tbs
railroads in making the necessary re
pairs
The question % providing adequate
T equipment 70 meet the fuctuating de.
mands of commerce IS one OF the mos
/ perplexi1E problems with =l-i0', che rail
roads have % deal Even under uniform
( y prosperous conditions there IS a grea
I variation IN the demand fC- cars Dur
Z ing The spring and sumner months trafh'
{ IS abnormally light and the heavy ton
mage on the Great Lakes and other IN
land waterways Still further tends q
I lessen the carriers burden In ire fal
and winter. however. come the move
ment of the grain crops. the hsavie
] movement of coal and other bulk
. merchandise. and the enormous tcnrag
I Of the holiday trade coupled III
! closing Of many OF the aSore- q
( waterways
/ This produces an entirely different rraf
Z &c situation and one which thA railroad
/ find the greatest difficulty IN meeting T
I compel the railroads 20 carry thousand
. OF idle cars through the spring and sum
Z mer months, representing millions OF in
vested capital from which no return 3
. procured. Is obviously unfair. and ye
. such a policy appears 10 provide the oul
{ adequate ISOLATION While g fuller co
! operation on the part OF the shipper in
/ larger movement Of certain heavier com
modities during the summer month
would tend 70 rel.eve the situation, Ettl
I or no progress has ever been made Il
this direction. nor have the car servic
I regulations proved Of any material as
/ sistance in avoiding the periodical ca
famines.
II the carriers needed another reasoi
for the moderate advance IN freight rate
/ which they now find imperatveIy neces
I sary, It would lie in the demands &c tn
shippers that they shall be supplied vii
I all the freight equipment they desire an
at such time as they may say, iTrespeC
tive Of the fact that IN order to suppl
. such demand the carriers must keep O
hard during several months Of each Yea
rolling stock n excess OF actual require
ments II the shippers require such
service and are unwilling or una ble Z
1 distribute their shipments in a name
which viU permit more Uniform MONTH
tonnage. then they should stand ready Z
interest on the additional capital require
10 enable the railroads TO supply IL
pay. in higher freight rates If neCessaU