Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-11-26
RECONSICN|NC OF
COAL CONSIDERED
Body Reports in Favor OF Elimination
Of Practice After Delivery OF
Fuel.
NETTING HELD IN DAVENPORT
pealcrs Present Protest Against Move
To Railway Associations Commit
tee OF Defense.

THE reconsigument OF coal after
4e,,yerv was one Of the main topics
f,r discussion in the meeting held
saturday afternoon at the Rock Is
land station in Davenport, by the
Rors Island subcommittee of the
American Railway associations spe-
daI committee OF defense. A conf
.wttee appointed TO Investigate the re-
consignment question at a previous
meeting reported in favor Of eliminat-
ioe reconsignment of coal after de-
1lyerv no definite action was taken
al the meeting other than TO instruct
the committee 10 talk over the mat
fer further with dealers,
other committees TO make reports
wcrp tae committees on capacity car
loading. accommodation and intensive
cooreration, and misuse of equip
nent The committee of misuse of
eotfpnent reported several occur
abces within their jurisdiction and
the case will be reported to Peoria,
headquarters of the district including
the fri-cities.
Prompt furnishing Of bills Of lading
on aterchanged cars, following up of
ebiuurrs 10 get full car loads, and
other matters were discussed A. II.
Ehf traffic manager for Deere and
company of Moline promised the CO.
operauon Of the various Deere plants
in the projects before the committee
a. Goddard of the Bettendorf COM
papv and H. ". Siey Of the Independ-
emit Baking company. we're other ship
pers represented at the meeting. ID.
CouEhlin, Rock Island, presided as
chairman.
Giyes Reasons Against Move.
G. NJ Cummins, traffic commission
or ot the Davenport Commercial club,
presented communication to the
committee i'm behalf OF a number of
the coal dealers, arguing against the
adjustment of the reconsignment
privilege. His communication was as
follows.
"At the instance OF our larger coal
dealers. a meeting was held this last
week TO consider the yeconsignment
feature AS "a result I am instructed
to write YOU setting forth the follow
ing points.
The tri-city coal dealers are heart
lily loo accord with your organization
towards the end OF greater car eff
fCeucy and stand ready to do all
within their power i'm cooperating
with carriers to this end.
we beg leave to call attention tC
the Increasing importance of recon.
signing OF coal 1t is one Of the most
vital arrangements in the success oil
the government plan Tor proper, rapid
and equitable distribution of fuel ant
the prevention Of a shortage Of fue
this coming winter 1t acts as ar
equalizer of railroad service and mine
operation. We cannot store coal-fol
physical reasons-aud TO do so woulC
encourage a spirit of boarding, whici
IS condemned. Consigning direct i.
Impractical and impossible Servic,
cannot be depended upon to bring Goa
to a plant exactly on time TO meet al
requirements Condition beyond con
troll Of industries vary their require
menis daily Mines, account car dis
irihutiou. etc. cannot work daily TIL
arrival of cars at industries at inter
walls iu large numbers means delay Il
unloading and unnecessary detention
Of equipment
ANY abuse of the privilege shout
nor condemn Il. nor call for its elm
iuaL0u Rather we suggest, a bette
plan the elimination of the abuse
The. By-by-night' broker. with no ply
steal means Of handling coal, has i
the past al least. used the recon
Segment privilege and railroad facili
ties as a medium of sale-often time
no sale. and consequent detention c
equipment
Benefits Of reConsignment OF Goa
accrue to all concerned. 1t is not no.
question OF selling but distribution
Demand, according to the governmer
plan, Is to be supplied daily. Gettin
coal only as needed permits muc
more prompt handling and less ca
detention.
"As to our conclusions.
I'VE desire to lodge our prote'
against the elimination Of reconsigI
me0t of coal
ANY workable plan. from carrie
ana shipper standpoint, permitting in
me5's.1 disposition-but Of creates
Importance. prompt and dependah
delivery Reeonsignment before a.
rival as impracticable, inasmuch {
advance notice Of arrival at break-u
yards is uncertain
'Ta1 immediate correction Of ar