The Washington herald., 1909-06-05

There vas an all-day session yesterday
OF the Interstate Commerce Commission
TO hear arguments for and against the
proposed uniform code OF demurrage rates
on cars. The meeting was q public hear
ing arranged by the National Association
Of Railway Commissioners. made up OF
railroad commissioners Of the several
States.
The hearing brought 70 Washington
probably the largest representative body
Of prominent operating officials OF the
railroads from all sections OF the ooun-
try that has ever before met here. In
addition 20 the railroad men, there was
present a delegation OF fifty men. repre-
senting the largest material interests Of
the country. shipping annually millions OF
tons OF raw and manufactured material.
probably more than one-half OF the ton
mage handled by the trunk line railroads.
Among the operating officials there were
representatives OF presidents OF big sys-
TENS. general managers, general superin-
tendents. general freight agents. superin-
tendents OF car service and traffic and
others.
begun at 10 O'Clock.
The hearing began at 10 O'Clock. and was
attended by more than $50 interested men.
adjournment being taken late In the aft
ernoon.
Judge Franklin K. Lane presided as
the head Of the Interstate Commerce
Commission. Attending the hearing were
State Railroad Commissioners Charles z.
ElmQuist. OF Minnesota; ". L. Eaton,
Of Iowa; John Y. Boyd, Of Pennsylvania:
". F. Rhea, Of Virginia: Andrew F.
Gates. Of Connecticut; John c. Sullivan
and o. P. Gothlin. Of Ohio. representing
The National Association Of Railway
Commissioners.
Immediately after the hearing had been
organized. the report OF the special com
mittee appointed al the last meeting Of
the National Association Of Railway Com
missioners. consisting OF one railway
commissioner from each State and a rep
resentative OF the Interstate Commerce
Commission, directed 10 frame a uniform
code Of car demurTage. was read This
report had previously been widely cir
culated among railway officials. manu-
facturers, and other interests OF the
country.
Commissioner Lane extended a wei
come to those present. and said at the
last meeting Of the National Association
Of Railway Commissioners the COMMITTEES
on car distribution and car shortage had
asked that an effort be made 10 obtain
a code OF demurrage that would be uni
form. and meet. as far as possible, the
needs Of the business Of the country. IA
cllitate the prompt distribution OF cars
and eliminate the shortage Of cars on the
big trunk line systems that at times has
so materially crippled and interfered
with the movement Of crops. manufac-
tured materials. and the necessities OF
the country He said the meeting he
was addressing was the result OF that
action,
I'VE are here trying an experiment, one
which may prove Of Incompatible value
IN the solution Of some Of the most per
picking Of our railroad problems" said
Commissioner Lane This committee
represents Federal and State jurisdic-
tiOnS. We are endeavoring 10 draft
code Of car service rules which may prove
acceptable 20 the commissions Of the
various States. and which may eventual
y be adopted by the carriers OF the
country on both iDtrastate and interstate
traffic
Necessity Of Harmony.
He pointed out the necessity OF har-
mony in the adoption OF some set Of
rules and regulations At present. he
said, conditions were in a chaotic con-
dition.
In our efforts 10 obtain a uniform
code We do not expect" said Commission
er Lane. Ito obtain one that viii meet
all requirements and be Ideal but we
wish 20 fundamentally recognize both the
rights OF the common carriers and the
shippers"
Following the Commissioner address
the report Of the special committee was
taken up and discussed item by item.
dealing with cars subject 70 rules Of
demurrage, During the debate it de-
veloped that the shippers and common
carriers could not come to an agreement
upon the report of the committee that
has endeavored to formulate a universal
code OF demurrage rules.
Commissioner Lane was handed A
statement from the railroad representa-
tves, drawn up at a conference held the
night before, pointing out the principles
for which the roads stood. In the debate
Of the several items Of the proposed uni
form code the railroad men and shippers
took every advantage OF occasions 20 de-
fend their sides OF the proposed code