Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-06-29
CAR SHORTAGE PROBLEM
IS BEING WORKED OUT
Marked Improvement in Past Two
Weeks, Says Defense
Council.
FARMERS ARE COOPERATING
No Holding Back Of Grain, and Cars
Are Being Loaded to Their Full
Capacity-Railroad Board Issues
Statement.

Efforts of the Virginia Council Of
Defense in the direction of securing
necessary changes in transportation
facilities. to met the war need. re-
ceiHcd high commentator in a COM
munication received yesterday by the
council from the railroads war board
AT Washington headed by Fairfax
Harrison, OF the Southern Railway
Company.
The council has consistently urged
that changes in schedules he permitted
where such changes We're obviously for
the general good: that the public
cheerfully sacrifice Il little personal
convenience for the greater good of
the country: that all cars he loaded to
capacity in the interest of conserving
car space. and that farmers and all
shippers refrain from holding bach. =
The situation already shows marked
Improvement. especially regards
grain transportation, according to the
communication from the war board of
the American Railway Association
The Council of Defense is advised that
there is comparatively little car short
age affecting the movement of grain
and furthermore. there is practically
no disposition on the part of the farm
eFs or country elevators to hold back
on grain shipments
GREAT IMPROVEMENT
IN can SITUATION
The returns fro ma recent invcstiga-
ton show that practically no country
elevators are SO full that they cannot
accept grain from farmers. either be-
cause OF a shortage of cars or for any
other reason. 1t is also shown that
in answer TO the question: What per
ccntaEe of cars ordered for grain are
hilcd' the reply from nearly every
rain-carryinE road is 100 per cent.
All the roads report great improve
ment in the car situation in the last
iifteen days. II is generally agreed
that all the old grain will be moved
before the new crop is ready En-
phasis is given to the statement that
there is no disposition on the par, Of
the farmers and elevators to hold back
on grain shipments
The need of further effort and con-
tinued cooperation is stated as toll
lows:
The commission on car service. n
subcommittee OF the special committee
on national defense, of the American
Hallway Association. desires to call
your attention TO the necessity for CO.
operation between all interests. in
order to obtain full efficiency of the
transportation unit, or freight cars
and asks your unqualified support in
connection with the demand upon the
lishcd trade units and minimum car
load weights. and, instead, load all
equipment furnished TO the full cubi-
cal or carrying capacity, and by this
method avoid loss Of 90 to IS per cent
efficiency, thus assisting in relieving
congestion, and at the same time max
ing more cars available for handling
the traffic offered. both for the gov
eminent and the general shipping
public.
Many terminals. yards and indus
trial tracks are now taxed beyond their
limits. and they cannot be enlarged
or extended TO material degree; but
these tracks will be relieved if equip
ment is loaded to full capacity. This
will materially increase the total ton
mage handled. with better and more
regular service"