The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-01-09
DEMURRAGE Rates INCREASE.
M'ADOO ANNOUNCES NEW RAIL.
ROAD CHARGES.
director General Points Out Danger
to the Country OF Tying Up Rolling

| =" "AS S"""'iy oi lying Up hOlllng
Stock.
Washington, Jan. 6.-To promote
more prompt unloading of freight
cars Director General McAdoo' today
established new railroad demurrag ge
rules for domestic traffic, effective
Jan. p, continuing the present two
days free time, but providing for in
creases ranging from so to 100 per
cent in charges thereafter.
The director general appealed to
Shippers and consignees to cooperate
IN releasing cars to meet the national
emergency. The necessity for action
was emphasized today by report
from A. II. Smith, assistant director
general in charge of operations east
or the Mississippi River, that "accu-
mutation is increasing at points east
OF Pittsburgh and Buffalo"
The new demurrage rates, approx
ed by the interstate commerce com
mission on request of the director
general, are So per car for the first
day after the two free days; S4 for the
second day, and 81 additional for each
succeeding day until the charge per
day reaches $40.
This maximum then will be charg-
ed for each day or fraction thereaf-
ter. Existing demurrage rates in
most sections of the country are 81
for the first day after two days free
time, 81 for the second day, SO for
the third day, SIS for the fourth day
and for each day thereafter.
Changes will be made for the pres
ent in the demurrage rules or rates
| on export freight. The new regula-
tions, said Mr.. McAdoo's order, "spe-
officially contemplate the cancellation
Of all average agreement provisions OF
existing tariffs.
Railroads are instructed to file
tariffs embOdying the new rates with
the interstate commerce commission
and State commissions.
IAN imperative necessity exists for
releasing freight cars for further SER
vice and for relieving terminals which
are now badly congested," said Mr..
McAdoo in a statement accompanying
the order.
These unfavorable conditions are
injuriously affecting in vital way
the governments conduct of the war.
it's aid to the allies and the supplying
of fuel, food and necessaries to /our
| own people.
"On these accounts I have felt COM
PEELED to issue an order which will
take effect throughout the United
States on the 21st day of January,
1918, providing for heavy increases in
demurrage charges unless cars are
loaded and unloaded with prompt
ness. am convinced that the tota
inconveniences and hardships on thes.
accounts will be far smaller than the
inconvenience and hardships which
our people as a whole are suffering or
account of the undue tying up Of rail-
road equipment and will be very small
indeed compared the menance which
the widespread tying up Of equip&
ment causes to the health and COM
fort of the people and the successful
conduct of our war operations.
II therefore appeal to every citizen
10 accept in a spirit of hearty CO.
operation the increased charges which
will be imposed, and I especially ap-
peal to every shipper or consignee, as
| l patriotic duty, to employ every
possible effort and expedient (even
.hough it involves unusual and spec
ial arrangement and additional cost
to load and unload freight cars with
! the least possible delay in order that
the existing congestion may be cleared
up before the new demurrage rule
goes into effect"
In approving the filing of, new de-
| murrage tariffs the interstate com
merce commission took action for the
| first time on q request Of the direc-
| tor general for higher rates.
About one-fifth Of the through pas
senger trains on Eastern railroads
were withdrawn from service today
with the director generals approval
and within a week or two many 9th
er passenger schedules will be cur
tailed.
| Disarrangement Of passenger sched.
ules in the last week, Assistant Direc.
| tor Smith reported, was prom otet
| largely by the number Of persons re