Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-12-16
DRASTIC REGULATION
TO RELIEVE CAR SHORTAGE
Emergency Measures Adopted by
Railroads, With Approval OF
]. &. c., Go Into Effect.
COST OF LIVING AFFECTED
orders Increase Demurrage Charges
and Daily Rcntal-Rclief OF Con.
gcstion in Some Sections Already
Reported as Marked.
COST OF LIVING AFFECTED
IBy Associated Press

w \ S II NGTQN. December ID
Drastic regulations adopted bv tho
railroads went into effect TODAY VIII,
inc approval OF the Interstate Com
'lerce commission. as emergency meas
urcs to relieve the shortage or frcicbt
ears. which for months has been n
brake on tho country's commerce. and
affected tho cost OF living.
Thc remedy is the railroads own
proposed by tho Car Service Commits
SION of the American Railroad Associa
ton. and formally approved bv tho
Federal commission. The first rc.u
'at'on provides that consigncc may
have tho usual two DAYS to unload u
ear. and that thereafter dcmurrarc
snail be charged at the rate of 81 for
the first day. 81 for the second. 81 for
inc third and 50 for the fourth and
'a"h succeeding day. heretofore tho
'h"rE" has been uniformly 81 day.
ana many consiEnccs notably autoIno
bic concerns and coal dealers. are do
clared to have been glad to hermit
shipments TO stand for long periods
because tho penalty was 80 small TINT
~ compared favorably with warehouse
charges
Another order increases tho daily
rental paid by railroads To each other
Tor cars from IS cents to rs cents pcr
car or about 20 per cent. Some East
orn roads arc said 10 have from q. onO
to 10000 foreign cars of single typo.
The order is expected to make serious
difficulties for some small roads which
never nave mad sufficient equipment of
their own.
forciEn cars on congested roads arc
said to har" come almost sshollv from,
southern and Western roads. Reports
l" inc Intcrstatc> Commcrcc Commission
snow that they Slut tho railroad yards
IN" Sidines OF most Eastern lines and
many in tho Middle West The trend
Of traffic, because Of the European de-
mand for American goods. has been
overwhelmingly toward Eastern sea.
ports.
Tho rise in the price Of coal 10 at
trihutcd almost wholly To tho car short,
age, aided by tho alleged activities OF
spectators. While tho East was paw
ing panic prices for coal, tho mines OF
inc Middle West and. to less degree
OF III" anthracite" section, were work.
ing with reduced forces or on part time
in many instances. because there was
not supply OF cars to handle the out
put. An order for the return Of coal
ears to their owners. loaded or emptv.
was issued several weeks ago by tho
Car Service Commission TO meet this
condition.
In respect To foodstufs. tho Same sit
uation - said 10 have applied although
II has been less acute Recent orders
or til" commission. which provide That
receiving roads shall return box cars
and rcfrigcratng cars without delay
I" the owning lines. are said to be
showing effect now
In railroad yards OF the Middle Yves.
IN" relief of congestion. und,r these
and related orders. is said TO have been
marked. Thus at Detroit within II
month tho number Of loaded cars in
the railroad yards awaiting unloading
is said 10 have fallen from $4,000 to
1900. Further consideration OF the
proni"ins presented by the shortage of
ears is the subject OF a conference here
To-Day Of officials of Eastern roads
meeting OF some Of the chief SINNERS
OF the country will be held here next
week.