The Washington herald., 1913-03-10
PLAN TO PROBE
| ALL CAR Lines
Private Owners to Be Investi-
gated by Interstate Com
merce Commission.
200 ARE ON THE LIST
List Of Questions Concerning Rela-
tions with Railroad Already
Sent Out.
1900 ARE ON THE LIST

The Interstate Commerce Commission
! has started an investigation into the
operation of private car lines, which Is
considered as one OF the most important
ever undertaken by that body, and one
that is calculated by the commission to
have far-reaching effect. For some time
the commission has been quietly investi-
eating the subject OF private cars. and
IL unearthed such a condition OF AFFAIRS
| that II has decided upon a comprehensive
| Investigation. The investigation so far
undertaken by the commission has de-
veloped the fact that there are no less
than twelve hundred private car COM
panies In the United States who by lease
or other arrangement, obtain an income
from the railroads. and it Is one of the
objects OF the commission to determine
| Just what relationship exists between
| these companies and the railroads, and
as to whether there is an inter-relation
| ship that permits the railroads to own
the private cars and then to pay for
| their use, or in other words, as to
whether the railroads are holding conf
panies
| There was sent out Saturday to the off,
GERS of the twelve hundred private car
companies a series OF interrogatories de-
| signed to develop just what they are and
| their relations with the railroads. The
interrogatories were preceded by a state
ment setting forth that II was the in
tention of the commission to hold hear
ings at various places throughout the
United States In connection with the
| investigation. and that the answers to
the interrogatories were to be used as
the basis OF the hearings. The state
ment further set forth that if the private
car companies or owners OF private cars
failed TO furnish the information sought
the commission would resort to its power
OF subpoena to secure It.
Must Furnish Information.
Every railroad in the United States has
also been directed to furnish the commits
sion at the earliest practicable date all
Information in their possession with re-
gard TO private cars, their contracts with
private car companies and individuals
owning private cars.
In addition, both private car companies
and the railroads have been directed to
furnish an exact list of all cars owned
by II.
Therefore. for the first time, the COM
mission will take census OF the cars
OF the United States and find just what
the equipment amounts to.
For the first time in its history in con-
nection with this investigation, the COM
mission has called upon the public for
Information. The commission has pre-
pared a circular addressed to users Of
private freight cars and which. after
outlining the nature Of the Investigation.
says:
1T is the desire Of the commission that
all shippers or association interested in
this investigation communicate to It, not
later than March 81, such information as
may be in their possession. and which
they consider pertinent 10 the inquiry
The statement was made at the COM
mission Saturday that when the answers
to the interrogatories were received, q
force Of fifty special examiners would be
put into the field TO check up the data.
and that 1t was the intention TO begin
holding hearings by May l at the very
latest.
The commission has received thousands
of complaints with reference to private
cars, and. as in the case Of the express
companies which were made the target
of widespread complaint, has decided TO
take up the whole subject in one investi-
cation and to base reforms upon the testi-
mony adduced at the hearings to be given. |
Probe Follows Complaints.
Numbered among the 100 private car
companies which the commission has
requested to furnish data. are all the |
big packing houses. breweries, cream |
cries, and fruit growers associations |
owner of large numbers of private cars. |
is also among the 1.ao. and has been |
requested to furnish information, and |
the Standard Oil Company has likewise |
been called upon to produce.
The case has been assigned to Com |
missioner McChord. and he will give II |
his almost undivided attention. He des-
ignated George P. Boyle as chief exam |
liner TO collect the information and d. |
rect the work OF the special examiners !
who are to be appointed.
An important feature Of the investiga-
tion is that 1t will put up to the COM
mission the question as to whether or |
not carrier should itself own equip !
ment capable Of satisfactorilyScarryin |
the commodities it undertakes to trans
port.
II is stated at the commission that It |
has been deluged with complaints by in
dependent packers. brewers, stockmen. |
coal mine operators. oil men. dairy pro-
ducts men, and others that the private
car was being used as a means of pay
ing rebates, and that independents who
did not own them were placed at a dis
tinct disadvantage thereby. AS iIIustra-
tons II is stated that the Armour Car
Lines, controlling thousands of refrig-
orator cars. is in reality owned by the
Armour Packing Company, and that the
same community OF interest exists be-
tween the Cudahy Refrigerator Line and
Cudahy & Co, while the ST. Louis Re-
- l.