Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1917-01-31
MANY INDUSTRIES
SUFFER FROM SHORTAGE
Railroad Commissioner Miller
Sends Letter to President
SprOule

With many industries in the state fac
ing financial failure on account Of the
Southern Paeific's inability to furnish
cars to take care of the products of the
mills and factories, yesterday Commits
sion Miller, as chairman Of the Oregon
Public Service commission, sent letter
to President Sproule of the Southern
Pacific company. He tells the company
Officers that the situation is as bad as
a month ago and that the business men
of Oregon are facing ruin because the
company has not been able to remedy
it's failure to furnish cars. Orders from
the outside have been cancelled becahse
no delivery could be made, and indus
tries looking for q location cannot in
vest because the prospect is not good.
The immediate attention of the rail
road officials to the situation is called
by Commissioner Miller. With the rail
road showing an inability or unwilling
ness to help out the industries there
is a growing sentiment on the part of
the people that something drastic must
be done in order to preserve themselves,
and the way points to more stringent
regulation and possibly public owner
ship. The letter in part follows:
Condition Bad.
"The car shortage today is fully as
great as month ago and no relief in
sight. Our mill men and other
shippers are making arrangeents
for future business and are very anx-
ious to know what service they may
expect from you. If equipment Awill be
available to handle the volume Of traf-
fic ordered, great development will take
place in all commercial and agricultur-
al lines, but if this year S experience
is to be repetition of last years lum-
ber mills and other industries VIII
necessarily be hindered and restricted
in their activities and the losses suffer
ed this year will be further augmented.
"Little or no complaint reaches us
relative TO car shortage lat strong
competitive points, but numerous let
ters have been received alleging that a
difference in service exists between
shippers located at remote stations from
those at points more favorably located.
These statements are of such a char
acter and so often repeated that We are
forced to the conclusion that there is
considerable foundation for them.
"It is impossible to estimate the
direct loss to this state last year
caused by our inability to market our
products, but it was enormous. The ear
shortage also was responsible for many
failures. Confidence in the ability of
our mills and factories to fill orders
cancellation of orders which led to the
establishment of business connections
elsewhere, the belief of business men
here that their products can not be
transported to market promptly, are
some of the causes for losses which can,
not be stated.
Cars Mean Living.
Thousands of families in Oregon are
dependent directly upon the lumber in
dustry for living, aud when the mills
are idle, these people are without ade
quate means of support. Nor half
enough cars are available for the pres
ent needs, storage yards are overflow.
ing, ears are loaded to full capacity an6
promptly released, and still your com.
jany is unable to provide for the busi
ness aendered it. The prosperity of the
Willamette valley is absolutely in the
control of your company and unless bet
ter transportation conditions are