Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1909-11-17
National Railway commissioners.

Wa mug Obi Ne Us ANO'' -
ing that many OF the so-csIled special
claims now paid by railroads TO large
shippers sre 10 reality an outgro|ih OF
the old rebs,ing habit from which many
roads have not been able to shake them.
selves free, and recommending an ex'
ceptIonally severe code Of demurrage
rules to govern shippers throughout the
United States, the special committee
appointed to consider the car shortage
question made lis much-discnssed report
to the National Association of Railway
commissioners today.
TIE report was framed after several
stormy meetings at which open sGcusa-
tiops we're made that the railroads to-
terestS we're being considered above those
of The shippers.
The report which was adopted today,
and which will be made the basis OF de-
murrage regulations by practically all The
large railroads in the country, wipes
away many special privileges which rail
roads have feared to take from large
shippers, but which 10 the view OF the
committee, mean an advantage that en-
sbles these favored shippers to control
the market.
It vas found, for instance, that the
steel trust hss never been forced 10 pay
demurrsge charges on cars kept over the
prescribed time, becsuse the railroads
feared that the steel interests would d..
vert their trsfic to other lines or estsb.
lish railroad Of their own, The de-
muuage charges have 10 this case, been
charged to "westher and punching"
The committee also recommends the
abolition of the "indnstry rule" which
allows shippers that move cars to their
own sidings by their own engines, "a
hours more 10 which TO unload the cars
than other shippers.
The "ffty per cent plos rule" also In
vogue 10 the steel district, is character.
lied ss "utterly vicious" and as having
been called into operation 80 accustom
the large steel and iron operations to the
discomfort of demuuage rules"
The "weather interference rule" Ia also
called a means to avoid the payment OF
| demurrsge.
Time for reconsigning of cars Is also
abolished. The committee finds that in
some cases the coal barous have secured
, FIVE days for the reconslgnment of cars,
holding the cars Of coal meanwhile, using
them merely SO warehouses, awaiting q
favorable turn In the market.
The rules adopted today sllow all
shippers two days in which to unload all
merchandise. 1t Is held that the shipper
has sn obligation as we'll IS the railroad.
Au additional day is allowed for recon.
SHIPMENT or inspection. Sundays and
legal holidays are not included In these
rules. AT the expiration OF the free
time, a charge of 81 day or fraction Of
a day shall be made until the car is re
leased Where tho weather is absolutely
such that unloading OF the Car will
damage The freight, the shipper Is 81
lnwed Additional free time.
The committee refused to consider re-
cipFocsl demuuage which provides O
penalty for the railroads failure to de.
liver empty cars when ordered BY The
shipper, because II is held that this Is q
matter Of law and not real demurrsge
rule.
Because Of the omission Of this
feature from the majority report, Rail-
way Commissioners Gothlin, of Ohio;
Rbes, Of Viz! iuis; Webb, of Mississippi,
and Bitch, of Florida, presented minor
ity report Incorporating reciprocal de-
murrage.
Other reports presented today advo.
cate the abolition of grade crossings;
the physical valuation Of The railroad
property in the United States by federal
authorities ss basis of rate making;
the taxation of railroads on the basis
Of their gross earnings; the passage Of q
better safety appliance act, aud condemn
the use Of the injunction in railroad
legislation IS delaying the enforcement Of
Il Lon