The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1919-08-27
Commission RECOMMENDS THE
TAKING OVER Of PRIVATE CARS

WASHINGTON. Aug. 2s.-Ascrih!nc
10 private car lines 4 position as one ~
the principal factors in the "on"rntr2-
ton OF control of III" American meat
industry. and showing that III" E'g FlN"
Chicago packers own NOR" than 80 per
cent Of the equipment Su;tahi" FOR SHIP
aent OF fresh beef and carcass meats,
the Federal Trade Commission to-day
made public a special "E'rivat" Car L.H"
Report" to the President. l. r"""H-
nends as 4 remedy that n cars used
for the Transportation Of meat animals
and all refrigerator cars and "IGipm' NJ
be operated on equal terms 70 all Snip
pcrs.
The most important types ~ private
cars considered" says the Commission :
letter OF traasmittal TO the President.
are the brine tank refrigerator car
eoutpprd for the transportation Of
dressed meat CarCaSsrs. and the VENT
lator refrigerator car suitable Cor pack
ing house products for vegetables and
fruits. Teh three principal classes or
owners are the packers. tho railroads.
and private car companies leasing th"'r
equipment to shippers and railroads.
The report says:
I'm order TO correct the present IN
qualities of service and rates rs VOL
as to prey. : the dangers Of monop"l:s-
tic advantages IN the use Of certain
tyres Of cars. the following recoInncn-
datlons are made:
81. That tho government acquire all
cars used Cor the TRANSPORTATION of meat
animals and that such ownership ard
operation be declared government
, monopoly. or that such cars b" owned
and operated by tho railroads under
government license regulation.
80 That the government acquire all
refrigerator cars and all necessary
equipment for their proper operation
and that such ownership and operation
be declared a government monopoly; or
that such cars and equipment be owned
and operated by the railroads under
government license regulation.
These recommendations contemplate
the acquisition and operation not only
Of the livestock cars ard refrigerator
cars. but also OF all necessary facilities
for their operation. such as car shops
for their construction and repair. feed
Ing and watering facilities for live
stock in transit, preceding equipment
for refrigerator cars and icing stations
! for the refrigeration Of per!shables in
! transit ice manufacturing plants and
natural Ice producing privileges con-
nected Herewith or necessary thereto
together with such other facilities ne
may be needed 10 secure the efficient
transportation OF meat animals and per
| ishable food products.
The execution OF these recon enda-
! tons would give to the smaller packer
especially. facilities which he generally
! lacks at the present time and for which
ne is frequently not able to provide
either because his requirements are no,
| large enough to justify the investmen,
or because he Is not financially strong
| enough to produce the necessary equip
ment. Assurance OF an equitable allot--
ment Of cars would make him a strong
er competitor of the big companies.
! I'm the fruit and vegetable trade
! also. considerable advantage. both tC
| producer and consumer, should follow
| this legislation.
Further. provided all this equipment
| Is Put in the hands OF the government
, the disposition Of the entire supply o!
! refrigerator and live stock cars would
/ be under unified direction, and there
! would be opportunity for considerable
economics in utilization and in expense
Of operation.
1T is worth suggesting. that as ar
! incident Of the administration OF refriS.
orator cars under this system a single
combined rate might be established T.
! apply 70 each kind OF transportation
> service. and thus do away with separate
: charges for freight. refrigeration. and
icing. This would simplify not only
rate and service accounting, but also
the shippers marketing. for he would
know his charges before making ship
ment and would be able to quote de-
, livered prices