Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-12-24
SLIGHT IMPROVEMENT IN
FRE|CHT-CAR SHORTAGE
Vigorous Efforts Made by Railroads
to Keep Equipment I'm
Motion.
LOADED TO HALF CAPACITY
Norfolk and Western Bulletin Calls
Attention of Shippers to Import
ance OF Making Each Car Carry
Full Load.

Despite the strenuous efforts being
made by the railroads OF thi3 country,
there has been only slight improve
ment in the car-shortagc situation.
according TO Richmond officials. Head :
quarters officers In this city. however.
are %; the opinion that the action of
the Interstate Commerce Commission
recently in allowing the roads to place
IN force Increased demurragc charges
against the shipper and high per diem
rates against connecting railroads will
improve the situation as quickly AS the
effect of this action had time to be
felt.
ON December the net freight car
shortage OH the railroads Of the United
states was ioj.j.7. as compared with
il+.a0S cars on November of this
year. Go.6?T on September 80. and 49,
S13 on September /. according TO Ng-
ures jus, announced by the American
Railway Association.
The association no longer shows the
geographical distribution Of SURPRISES
ana shortages. as WAS the practice until
rece,o months. in its monthly bulletin.
but the recently organized committee
on car efficiency has published figures
Of car distribution according to rail-
IL
however slight. In the shortage OF cars
between November j and December /
reflects the efforts of this committee
to secure a better. distribution OF cars
and their more rapid movement.
y. & W. ISSUES First
CAR-uTILITY BULLETIN
From its general headquarters in
Roanoke the Norfolk and western
Hallway Company has just issued its
Car C;ility Bulletin No. l." urging
shippers TO make one car do the work
OF Two by loading them to full ca
paci:y. redu sing. the accumulation.
Guickcniug the movement and pleasing
patrons.
The bulletin states tina. the volume
OF traffic offered for transportation
over the :'orfoli and Western Rail
way is so great that the car supply
Ia insufficient 20 meet the demands OF
the shippers. This same condition OK
lists. more or less, on all other rail-
''oads il tho country" The statement
is made in tho circular that when
shortage occurs. many shippers are
unable 70 &c; cars, and are put TO con-
siderable expense and inconvenience.
and at the same time there are thous-
ands OF cars moving over the railroads
with ouiy half load
The bulletin was issued By r. r..
Spanglcr. superintendent OF transport
tstion. under the approva. OF General
Manager Needles. and says:
only about 80 per cent Of the carry
Ing capacity Of closed cars is beinu
utilized in many cases
Tho custom seems to be that the
buyer makes his order upon the basis
OF the minimum carload. This condi-
ton might be tho result OF habit. In
the past the buyer ordered his goods
In 10000 or 10000 pound lots. which
was equivalent to a carload in those
days: but now new and larger cars
arc provided which will take care OF
vice as much freight. We feel sure
tina, with this explanation the buyer
will appreciate that he can not only
haneh, himself 10y making ono car do
the work OF two. but that he will bcne-
iii business in general.
The consiEnee can helm materially.
n" starting to unload ears s soon as
they arrive. and when car is made
empty. report promptly. SO that it can
he put In service again. He can also
help by instructing his teamsters to
finish the unloading Of car at the
end OF the day when only a small por-
sion Of the load remains in the car.
THIS will save hours OF time to many
cars Better cooperation between tho
railroads. shippers and cons!gnees will
move the freight in less cars. and every
car saved will help reduce the car
shortage"