New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-11-04
COAL FAMINE NEAR;
RAILROADS BLAMED
Continued from frsi pnge.

uses one railroad reports that out OF
% 90 coal cars owned H. now has but 2,sOO
available on its line and has been forced
to place an embargo against coal golhg
off its line IN its cars.
The per diem charge under common
agreement for the use OF foreign equip
ment seems Inadequate TO secure It's re-
turn al time when there " "A I'VE de-
r,and for cars Such procedure on the
part OF the railroads is nothing less than
theft The carriers by agreement have
provided rules under which. when carried
out In good faith. cars may promptly be
returned 10 the home line. Departure
from these rules IL an appropriation OF
property which Is morally unjustihaole'
The duty Of framing such rules rests
primarily upon the carriers them
selves" the appeal continues, and the
commission has said that unless such
rules were made It would itself under
take the task. Such remedy. however,
would be entirely inadequate TO the Inn
perative needs OF the present situs-
ton" The commission makes these
suggestions to the railroads OF the
country:
I That r. higher per diem rate shall be
made 10 apply for the use or cars as De-
tween the carriers.
. That an Inspection service be at once
instituted which shall report 10 this
commission violations OF the rules exist
ing which are intended TO insure the re-
turn OF equipment 10 the home line.
). That operating officials be instructed
70 make fuller use Of locomotives and
cars BY increasing the speed OF freight
trains An average movement OF less
than twenty-five miles car day Is not
adequate to the need OF time such as
% y1NnN nnf IL
tantamount to an increase In equipment.
"These suggestions" the commission
adds, ARE made In the hope that the
carriers will at once so cooperate as to
bring about a change in conditions
under which they may be able to fulfil
the obligations that are cast upon
them" The appeal goes on:
We are authoritatively advised that it
has been the policy Of some carriers to
RELY In times OF car shortage upon the
equipment built for and owned by their
Connections, and that while the railroad
systems OF the country as a wno,e bIe
demands, the present embarrasBment
both OF the railroads which have not
been equally foresighted or which nave
pursued policy OF the e Hh,ag csr rsehe OF
nrss.nt conditions. Inasmuch as car
riers have not been able TO devise for
themselves methods by which they can
secure honorable treatment from their
connecting roads, the duty devolves upon
ali carriers 10 adopt methods which VIII
give relief to the public.
Shippers Urged to Hasten.
The shippers of the country under the
rules OF the carriers are allowed Two
davs' free time. after which demurrage
in the amount OF 81 day Is imposed FOR
the detention of a car. There have come
Ia the commission no general complaints
that the shippers are not acting with
reasonable energy in loading and unload
ine cars. but In a situation such as the
one now existing the commission feels
iusttfied In urging upon the shippers
that they shall not avail themselves of
the f,hl limit of time allowed by the
On Triers, but will do their utmost to aid
themselves and the country at large by
releasing equipment as promptly as Is
possible.
SHOULD It appear that cars are being
held By shippers at this time for stor-
age purposes" the appeal concludes,
I'VE shall give consideration TO the
issuance Of a general rule which will
temporarily apply n higher rate Of
demurrage than is now imposed"