The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-11-13
Commission PLEADS
FOR COOPERATION
SHIPPER AND CARRIER TOGETHER
MAY PREVENT CROP MOVE
mENT LOSSES.
WHERE FAULT LIES
FREQUENCY OF COMPLAINTS OF
CAR SHORTAGE INSPIRES COR
PoRATIoN COMMISSION TO
ISSUE LETTER.
WHERE FAULT LIES

Moved by the frequency of the com
State corporation commission has Is
sued joint circular letter to the car
riers and shippers urging cooperation
with each other to prevent losses oc-
casioned by delay in the movement of
crops.
While much OF the car shortage
trouble is due to carriers whica do not
maintain the proper amount Of rolling
stock but prefer to rely largely on the
per diem system. the commission finds
that most of the trouble lays in the
delay occasioned by shippers and con-
signees holding up cars at both points
of loading and destination.
Car Shortage Again.
THE commissions letter follows:
The movement of crops at this sea-
son Is a strain upon the railroads and
informal complaints to this commits
sion Indicate that the failure OF trans
portation facilities. known as car
shortage" has again appeared.
The com omission therefore " ges on
carriers and shippers that proper at
tention to methods of loading, un-
lQdllHEs HIONli5 anu EStuA
ing for use the equipment now avail
able viii aid materially in making the
present supply of cars sufficient for
all purposes.
The commission urges shippers to
cooperate to secure the prompt and
full loading of cars and their prompt
release. Consignees have no right to
hold cars for shortage purposes. and
should release cars before the expir-
y Ia
The general public interest requires
that there should be no unnecessary
detention Of cars.
But the efforts OF shippers will be
OF no avail unless the carriers take
the necessary steps to eliminate all
delays chargeable TO them.
The failure of car supply is for the
most part due to failure of car move
ment
The congestion of terminals is the
ever present feature at times OF such
failure.
Where Delay Comes.
Delay by carriers in removing cars
after they have been unlnadcd and
placing them where needed and slow
movement in transit prevent shippers
from obtaining cars promptly
The methods Of operation of term
fnaIs and OF The lines are under INC
control OF the carriers.
Company material should also be
unloaded with the same dispatch that
Is required of shippers.
Some railroads have a reasonably
adequate equipment for their bust
ness Others fall short Of their public
obligation in providing equipment and
prefer to pay low per diem and use
largely the equipment Of other roads,
The per diem Is fixed by the American
railway association. and is therefore
under the control of the carriers.
AT this season of the year the per
diem should be higher Instead Of
forty-five cents 1t should be one dol
lar. in ~rder to insure prompt return
of equipment to the owning road.
The commission is moved to issue
this circular by its desire to save both
carriers and shippers from the loss
occasioned by failure OF car supply.
such as here suggested have operated
In past seasons to save all concerned
from heavy losses
The Interstate Commerce commits
sion and some State Commissions have
issued circulars in substance the same
as this, and 1t is to be hoped thae there
will be response in cooperative effort
both by shippers and carriers.
STATE CORPORATION COCMMfS-
MISSION.
ROBERT r. PRENTIS.
Chairman;
VIM. F. RHEA.
J. RICHARD WINGFIETD.
Commissioners.
Attest: r. r. WILSON,