The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-06-04
TO ELIMINATE
SHORTAGE OF CARS
Railroad Men, Shippers, and
Commissioners Take Part
in Discussion.

]
/ that the room Of the Interstate Com
merce Commission has ever held, there
was begun today discussion of the uni
/ form code OF demurrage rules prepared
/ in Maine by the subcommittee on car
| demurrage of the National Association
| of Railway Commissioners.
/ The problem involves the question of
car shortage. Commissioner Lane pre-
sided, and with him on the bench were
| the railroad commissioners of seven
States, including Virginia. Ohio. Con-
necticut. and Wisconsin, all members of
the original subcommittee.
Lanes Outline.
Commissioner Lane. in outlining the
purposes of the meeting, said among
other things:
I'VE are here trying an experiment
and one which may prove of incom-
parable value in the solution of some
Of the most perplexing of our rail-
way problems. This company repre-
sents Federal and State Jurisdictions
We are endeavOring to draft code Of
car service rules which may prove
acceptable to the commissioners Of
the various States. and may eventual
ly be adopted by carriers of the con-
state traffic.
Il need not attempt 10 enlarge upon
the necessity of greater harmony IN
such rules. At present the condition OBJ
tanning is one of chaos. We are en-
deavoring 10 bring about order. We
are seeking after the best set of rules
/ that is practicable. We don't expect the
one that is 70 be drafted or accepted As
/ ideal, but we wish fundamentally TO
recognize fully the rights. of both ship
pers and carriers-the rights Of a car
rler TO the fullest possible and practic-
able use of its equipment. and the right
! OF the shipper 10 the use Of a car TO
whatever extent that is necessary.
Should Be Withdrawn.
'The privileges which have been ex-
tended by carriers in the matter OF car
service for their own purpose should be
Withdrawn in the interest of the people
who. because OF these favors. are de-
pr1ved of their rights to prompt move
ment OF their shipments
We are seeking on behalf Of all ship
pers an avoidance of the conditions
which existed two years and more ago
and that obtained practically through
out the countryside condition of a car
shortage which arose TO the dignity OF
a national calamity.
We are here. gentlemen. that you
may give as the benefit of Your expert
ence and counsel, TO the end that We
may be able TO present TO our fellow
commissioners a set OF rules which will
be fair 70 tie carrier, and Under which
the vast traffic OF this continent may
be carried on more smoothly more
equally, with less discrimination. less
preference shown between localities and
interests, and more satisfaction shown
on all sides than at present exists
Railroads Stand
It was repeatedly stated in the debate
which followed that the shippers and
the carriers could not agree upon any
OF the paragraphs Of the proposed rules.
AS the result OF the conference last
night by the railroad representatives.
/ Commissioner Lane was presented with
a statement setting forth certain prin-
ciples for which the railroads stood.
These included: Prompt release Of emp
ty cars; prevention Of car retention to
avoid car shortage; imposition OF
charges for the use of cars and sidfngs
after a certain period: denial OF the
theory that transportation service in
Guided storage; and the adoption of uni
form regulations covering similar con-
ditions.
Complaint Filed
A complaint against unjust and un-
reasonable rates has been filed with the
Interstate Commerce Commission by the
transportation bureau Of the Seattle
Chamber of Commerce and the Tacoma
Traffic Association against the North
ern Pacific. the Great Northern, and
dozen roads operating from those -Wo
cities through the State Of WASHINGTON,
eastern Oregon, and Idaho.