The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-07-28
NO SHORTAGE OF CARS
FOR MOVING APPLE CROP
Southern Railway Putting In Special
Sidings and Loading
Platforms.
LARGEST CROP YET KNOWN
President FAIRFAX Harrison Writes
Stnte Corporation Commission,
Asking Cooperation of Shippers
i'm Moving Immense Fruitage.

AS a result OF the precaution taken
by the Virginia apple growers. who
some days ago advised the state Cor
porntion Commission and the railroad
officials of the prospect for an enormous
apple crop this year, there is now
little doubt that the railroads will sup
ply sufficient number of cars to move
the fruit from orchard TO markets
promptly and cXpcditiousIy.
The letters cnlisting the interest OF
tnc commission in the unusual situa-
tiCn confronting the growers came
from individuals and organized bodies
Of orchardists representing the largest
apple growing interests in the State.
Judge Robert r. prentis. chairman OF
the commission, took up the matter
with the presidents OF the railroads
operating in the apple districts. 1t
was announced yesterday that Written
assurances had been received from eacn
Of the lines that the necessary fla
cilties would be promptly provided for
moving the crop, and that there will
be no ear shortage.
The reply of Fairfax Harrison, presi.
dent Of the southern Railway, is given
in full below:
WASHINGTON. II. c.
July 90. 1917.
''Ionorahlc Robert r. pren,is. Chair
man state Corporation Commission,
Richmond. Va:
letter of July II about the prospect for
a large crop Of apples in Virginia this
year.
I'VE have been alive TO this for some
time, and have had number of de-
tailed reports from the ample growing
regions We serve, which indicate tina:
/ there is to he the largest crop yet
known. We have accordingly organ
tied our own forces for II successful
movement, and have solicited the help
OF the shippers. Furthermore. We have
/ put in a new loading track near CoVcS-
/ willie, have extended two or three tracks
bctwccn Strasburg and lIarrisonburE
and are building three or four new
loading platforms, all for this rattle.
/ | do not think there need he any fear
Of Il car shortage for" this service, so
far as we are concerned. We have
been tight on box cars recently at some
points in Virginia, but this is due TO the
necessity of taking care OF the water
melon tratIic from South Carolina.
which has been unusually heavy. and
/ has been punched" on us. This will
soon bc over. and We have the add
tional insurance of 5000 new box cars
coming to us before October next, Of
which delivery has now begun.
The Virginia apple traffic is now
reaching dimensions which require new
methods.
I'VE have arranged meeting with
! the apple growers in the Valley for a
day early in August to give them an
/ depreciation of our problem and secure
/ their cooperation III the respect OF
/ comprehensive notice to us in advance
where thcir apples are to he marketed,
and when and in what quantities. For
/ n large traffic Of this kind cooperative
J organization of shipper and carrier is
essential TO success, as has been demon
stratcd by the Georgia peach growers.
/ who have been so successful
"i'AIRFAN HARRISON,
president"
| The assurances given by the railroad
officials Will relieve the growers OF
further apprehension. The growers
have suffered in years past through
| the inability Of the roads to supply
a sufficient number OF cars to move
| the apple WELD, the losses in many
cases where cold storage was not avail