The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-07-18
NO PLAN TO KEEP OUT
ARGENTINE BEEF
Railroad Officials Deny Charges
Made in the Benjamin
Statement.
ALL ARE AFTER BUSINESS
But They Can't Afford to Build
Cars to Lie Idle Part
Of the Time.
Ill ARE AFTER BUSINESS

of "a state street that the transportation
systems seemed TO be In league to prevent
the distribution of South American beef
throughout the United States and by their
action had prevented possible reduction
In the cost Of meat to the consumer. NJ.
Benja minis charges were made I'm letters %
the Department of Agriculture and the In
terstate Commerce Commission.
Representatives OF all the lines united in
denying that at any time cars had been
refused to agents Of the independent ship
pers of Argentine and Uraguayan beef and
said they were surprised that a complaint
had been made. Most OF the railroad men
said they were entiro'y willing to produce
documentary evidence that every call from
Mr. Benjamin and all the other agents
here had been promptly met. The follow
ing statement was made az tho Office NJ
+. l.. Sheppard, general superintendent Of
the Pennsylvania Railroad
Road Has Filled Every Order.
I'VE have filled every order for 70
frigerator cars sent US by Mr.. A. u. Ben.
jamn as well as those of other shippers
OF South American beef and beef productA
His last request for cars was made on
June ~ and there was no delay IN meeting
II. We are anxious for this business and
will take care of all that comes our way.
Mr.. Benjamin has been 80 Informed and
his letter OF complaint in regard to the
railroads gave us quite shock.
Heretofore the South American ship
pers' agents here have asked only for cars
in which to ship frozen beef. Almost any
car is suitable for this purpose Bur Il
cars are requested in which to ship chily
beef. which must he suspended from hooks
they will be provided by this company.
The Pennsylvania's transportation Of.
cials admitted that the American roads
were not we'll equipped to handle the South
American chilled meat business, as Ar
mour. Swift, Sulzberger and the other biz
packing concerns provide their own e.
frigerator cars. AT the same time, they
said. their facilities even now are ample 10
handle all the business offered.
Cars II Demand We're steady.
officials OF the Delaware. Lackawanna
and Western Railroad We're inclined 10
make light of MIR. Benjamins charges
They said they were only too anxious %
get freight of any sort and would be glad
to supply importers of Argentine beef with
all the refrigerator cars they needed pro-
vided that they could he sure that the i'm
portations would continue. One OF the oih-
Gals said:
THE Lackawanna will he delighted 70
carry all the Argentine beef II can, and
as every one knows, our road. like AL
the others in the country. IL after all tho
| freight It can get We can't. however.
| ship II in the private refrigerator cars
owned by the big packers like the Swifts
/ and the Armours. They would not allow
competitor IN use their property and
| It Is only Just that they should take that
stand, for their refrigerator cars repre-
sent their invested capital II would
not be fair to their stockholders TO let
| competitors use them. The only time
| when we use even refrigerator car
that is being shipped back TO Chicago
empty Is in case OF emergency-tor
instance when we have perishabe fruit
on hand and can't handle II In our own
| cars-and even then we ask permission
OF the packers agents.
Can't Build Cars to Lie Idle.
mo railroad can AFFORD to 1T up re-
frigerator cars to carry meat unless "
is going to be assured that It will have
plenty OF meat to MI them II costs
good deal to build refrigerator cars. for
they have 10 be specially constructed
with places for dee. heavy beams hooks
sc. At present. with the packers using
their own cars to carry beef, we have no
demand for refrigerator cars Of Nnt
sort. However. let any one assure us that
there will be continued importatons ~
Argentine beef that will require us 10 nt
up refrigerator cars and We will be g'ah
to do so at once"
The New York Central has about s,ooo
refrigerator cars, hut few OF them ara
} of the beef carving type. This is duN
to the fact that the packers furnish NJ d.
} own cars on this system, An Official ~
the New York Central said YESTERDAY
that were n demand for beef CARVING
refrigerator cars created they would I'M
med,ately transform some OF their present
refrigerator cars so they would h. sun.
| able for carving meats and would hudd