Albuquerque citizen. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1907-1909, 1908-11-19
CAR SHORTAGE SHOWS
BUSINESS INCREASE
Since the Election the Demand for
Cars Has Exceeded the Supply.

The fact that the southwest is suf-
fering from a car famine is probably
the most significant evidence that the
country is growing prosperous.
Local shippers OF almost every class
have the complaint to make that they
cannot get cars. The complaint does
not come from serious condition
but merely from the fact that the
shippers cannot get sufficient cars to
handle their business. Tie greatest
shortage Is probably in stock cars.
There has been an enorm Gus sale of
feeding lambs during the past few
weeks, and the buyers come in a
bunch with a demand for cars. There
has always been more or less of a
shortage of stock cars at this season
Of the year but it was probably
never before as great as now.
A prominent shipper said this
morning that there are several rea-
sons for this condition. To begin
with, the railroads are very busy just
now moving the western wheat crop.
and almost every available box car
In the country Is in the wheat belt.
This has caused a shortage of this
class of rolling stock elsewhere and
other equipment is being used to do
the work of box cars. Sock cars are
being used to haul coal and lumber
and coke. One train arrived In the
local yards yesterday morning carry
ing nine stock cars loaded with coal
and coke The use of stock cars for
these purposes causes an unusually
stringent shortage of stock cars,
which, coupled with the unusually
heavy demand, makes the situation
acute. There is also a shortage of
coal cars, caused probably by the re-
cent cold spell. The local Joobers,
however, are not complaining of a
shortage of cars for local shipments.
This class of trade s being given
close attention. it seems. and the
gradual increase Of demand, which
has been made daily since the cleo
tton, has been met promptly.
The election made little difference
In shipments in the far east accord
ing to A. Vandewort, representing
Grown & Adams, Boston wool mer-
chants. Mr.. Vandewort, who Is prob
ably the best known OF the eastern
buyers. arrived in the city last night
and stopped off for a day while en-
route to California on pleasure trip.
Mr.. Vandewort said that the election
had very little to do with the present
high price OF wool. He said that the
wool men were confident of the cleo
ton of Taft long before the election,
Wool is bringing more money now
than at any time within the past year,
due to the gradual resumption OF
prosperity.
George ATnot, manager for Gross
Kelly & Co, who has consummated
some of the largest deals OF the year
inlambs. said this morning that there
were at least twenty-five buyers In
Albuquerque today and spirited bid
ding for choice animals had brought
the top price to four and a quarter
cents, which has a ring of old times
about II. The conf dence Of the buy
ers has grown with the gradual i'm
pnoyement of general conditions. and
the seeming scarcity OF stuff has
caused a few of them to fear return
ing to their feed lots empty-handed,
with feed to waste. The supply Is
really getting short. many of the
fIocks having already been contracted
for. Mr.. Arnot said that sheep to fill
500 cars were being held at po nts
south OF Albuquerque. awaiting the
delivery Of cars. ..g...