The Marietta journal and courier. (Marietta, Ga.) 1909-1918, 1916-11-03
SHORTAGE OF FREIGHT
CARS MAKES COAL !.
PRICES RISE
Overflow of Freight Shows
Not Enough Cars To
Handle Traffic

An increase in the price of coal
OF $l.75 ton in the last two weeks
and prospects of it going still high
er has put everybody to wondering
why The Journal has made a care
full Investigation and finds the
trouble is 1ue to a shortage of
freight cars. On October ], 1914,
there was a surplus of $4,000 coal
ears, on October /, 1916 the surplus
was 10000 and on October /, 1876
the tables were turned and a short
age of $4,000 cars was found. This
is due to the manufacturing plants
in the north and east running over
time and requiring more coal and
longer time for cars to make the
long trip from southern mines. Also
large number of coal miners have
gone north to get employment in
the factories as it is more pleasant
than working under the ground.
Mr.. j. w. Hancock, of the Mari
eta Ice and Coal Company in an
interview on the situation gave us
the above Information and stated
that on account of a lack of cars
and miners leaving, the mines were
running only about two days a
week. He said that all coal con-
tracts were ma de with a provision
that strikes, or conditions beyond |
the conrol of the mines made them
void, and thai made them almost |
worthless. Coal which he was able
to sell month ago for $475 is now
$3.50 and this price does not leave
as much profit as the former price.
Mr.. Hancock stated that he would
get coal if possible and sell it as
cheap as possible, but that he lid
not think the prices would go much |
higher After the first of the year
he said the factories would begin to |
run shorter hours and commerce
generally would slacken up which
would release a great many cars
that are now tied up.
At present prices Marietta is get
ting coal a dollar ton cheaper
than Atlanta.
Mr.. E. l.. PARROT, agent of both !
the l.. & N. and N. c. & st. l.. rail |
roads hands us the following letter
which explains Itself and is to re-
mind both shippers and receivers
of freight that hearty cooperation
with the railroads in tins matter
will be benehciai TO all;
The car situation is already Sc
rious and indications point to great
er scarcity of equipment. Not only
are we suffering for box cars, but
the coal car situation is critical.
ITO prevent serious consequences
it is imperative that all concerned
put forth every effort, and De keen
ly alive, to facilitate the movement.
loading, and unloading of cars of
all classes
Shippers and consignees must
be impressed with the fact that
their cooperation is essential, not
only to help out the railroads, but
in their own interests, for in this
matter the interests of the railroads
and their patrons cannot be but mu-
tual.
Cars are built to move freight,
not to serve as storehouses, not to
shelter out-of-the-way side tracks.
A Contractor having more business
than he can haul will not think of |
loading up one OF his wagons and
backing it into corner of the yard |
to stand for week; yet this same
man will leave lading in a RAILROAD
car for that length of time and |
thinks the matter satisfactorily set
tied if he pays a little demurrage
land often kicks about that
The fact that demurrage is be-
ing assessed, or collected, does not
begin to compensate for the loss of
the earning capacity of the car for /
the length OF time held.
When car is unloaded it should |
be Immediately placed for loading,
and if loading is not begun the same
day the car should be moved to some
other shipper who will load it.
Want to impress upon local con-
ductors and agents of stations gov
erning non-agency stations, the i'm |
portance of keeping a close watch OH
cars at nom agency stations
Cooperation OF all concerned is !
not only expected in this matter, |
but is~requir ed.