Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-01-10

~, pannsylvania Railroad last week
IA the public for criticisms and advice.
,hat the patrons of the road might get
L,.t what they want In the way of
s.,,,ice The request was made through
nos,ers printed in black and red, which
were placed In passenger and freight
depots. ,.-, -, -
t,ons were forthcoming from many
rstrons, The shippers, commercial trav-
sIsrs and commuters tell the "Pennsy'
.vstem What may be done to transform
knockers into boosters.
The commuters have only one bone of
contention, according to the Philadelphia
n,torney who represents them. Give them
LIVER communication rates, or establish n
seven-mile zone limit for the maximum
FIRE and they will have no other kick
TO register, they say
shinpers are chahnE under the present
embargo. They contend that 1t has
resolved itself into a penalty for having
onlv Pennsylvania railroad connections.
FEW OF THE WANTS.
They want more prompt and frequent
switching service, more satisfactory
means OF getting definite Information on
shipments delayed at distributing and
transfer points, more attention given real
rush shipments. reciprocal demurrage,
and greater interest on tne part OF 1enn-
sylvania sub-offlcials.
Commercial travellers believe that they
are entitled to n 5OO0-mile mileage book at
the two-cent per mile rate. This. they
say, must be issued by the Trunk Line
Company, but takes the Pennsylvania $
Endorsement TO put 1t through.
In the opinion of one of Philadelphia s
largest shippers, embargoes should be
more carefully considered before being
applied. The present embargo from
Pennsylvania to other lines and vice
versa is great hardship to those located
solely on Pennsylvania lines" he said
this morning.
"Embargoes should be restricted to ma
terial not emanating from or going to
those having only Pennsylvania Railroad
connections. 1t can readily be seen that
the embargo practically resolves itself
Into penalty for having no other tra:.J-
portation connection, -
"More attention should be given and
more interest shown in real rush ship
ments; this applies especially to transfer
and distribution points. 1t is a source of
great annoyance and dissatisfaction to
the shipper or consignee to find that an
important shipment has been lying at
such point during considerable period
Of valuable time and that he is unable to
obtain any definite decision or action to-
ward obtaining same.
CARS WAIT ON SWITCH.
'The present demurrage situation is
one-sided. There Is no reason why the
shipper shouldn't be entitled to a recip-
rocal demurrage.
More prompt and frequent switching
service should be given manufacturing
plants. Quite frequently cars that are
ready for removal early In the morning
are not removed until late at night End a
day thus lost at once. Common sense
planning of switching movements In con-
nection with freight movements would.
we believe, considerably improve traffic
conditions
This criticism we will say. finds It's
origin in the lack of interest on the part
OF sub-officials rather than from poor
policy OF the railroads. A little individual
attention will often transform dissatis-
ned into satisfied patron. What the
Shippers want and expect and what the
lahroads should give is service with
capital s."
The Baldwin locomotive works have no
criticism to make; friendship forbids.
The Pennsylvania Railroad are great
friends or ours" is the way the treasurer
oi the company put II.
Robert Tunis, president of the National
iranic Service Bureau. 18th and Spring
Garden streets. said:
~ the shippers understood conditions
pe'ter there would be less misunderstood
ing between themselves and the railroad
sompany. / would say TO the shippers
!, nderstand thyself and conditions, and
iose thy misery"
Edwin NJ, Abbott, chief counsel for the
combined committee of the United Bus
mess Mems Association and the Com
muters' Association. said:
i, Y the Pennsylvania Railroad is sincere
y inviting criticism from its patrons and
osssseiaily from the commuters, we would
Snsf them this suggestion. which would
s....'lleliately meet with a hearty response
~ ,ssn me general travelling public-reduce
~ sommutation rates. or at least estab-
sa seven-mile zone limit for the max
mum mum fare and then add so cents per
vess ssas'a 70 this amount for all stations be-
sopa the zone limit"