Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1919-09-27
SHIPPERS URGED TO
HELP RELIEVE CAR
SHORTAGE ON R.L.RY.
FREIGHT AGENT SENDS APPEAL
TO OTTAWA iNDUSTRlES
VOCATES HEAVIER LOADS AND
SPEEDlER UNLOADING AS a
MEANS OF CONQUERING THE
SHORTAGE.


Ottawa shippers have been appeal
ed to by IT, l.. Duval, division ireight
agent OF the Rock Island. to eco1o-
mize until il hurts" on use OF
freight cars running in and out OF the
city. The present car shortage
coupled with the great volume OF biis-
mess thurst upon the railway Is re-
sponsible for the appeal which was
seat out from his Office by Nj. lJu-
vail asking all shipping concerns to
use every means OF conservation to
relieve the pending grave situation as
much as possible.
That the shortage Of cars is by no
means a nightmare, nor a bluff to be
: lightly dispeled is clearly brought out
in the communication seat to local
users OF Rock Island service, OF
whom there are many. Mr.. Duval Is
confident that the shortage will 1ot
exist for more than a few months,
following which shipping conditions,
he hopes, viii be back to normal.
He advocates as one means or
remedyng the shortage loading
( heavier and emptying earlier The
following letter, which was sent to
the freight and sportatiols de
partments. shows that the situation
i has become serious problem. and
needs the cooperation OF the public
70 adjust the trouble:
"IOu have, during the past month,
experienced much Inconvenience ac-
I count car shortage. condition when
i general throughout this country
and particularly il the territory east
Of the Missouri river, where an acute
shortage exists for all kinds of load
ing
1t is the wi III of the railroad adj
ministration that the shipping public
be fully advised and their earnest CO.
operation solicited to utilize every
available means tending to the con
servation of car; This prompts the
carrying capacity prompt loading and
, unloading of cars. converting custom
ers who order minimum carloads to
increase such orders to maximum
loads. Where this cannot be done,
shippers should avail themselves of
he opportunity OF loading two OF
more carload con ,ignments ii one
car, a practice permitted where the
consignments are for the same or diff
ferent destinations providing inter
mediate destinations are agency sta
tons and that such consignment Is
property marked showing consignee
ald destination II the shipments are
fer different destinations, the first
must be directly Intermediate With
The second and the second directly
Intermediate with the third.
II feel that can rely upon your IN.
teligeut. earnest and sustained assie''
alce The situation is critical one
and demands earnest and active &c.
operation between the shipping pun.
lie and the railroads. Hence. ! ap,
peal to YOU for favorable considerl-
ton to the above suggestions. that
our transportation, which is limited,
may better serve the needs OF all CON
Cerled.
Extracts from communication is
sued by :. II Johnson. freight traffic
manager OF the Rock Island, to a.
freight traffic department which are
published below, also urge the con
seryation of freight equipment.
supplement No. to freight trat
iic department circular 24i-G, dated
May 18th. issued jointly by Superh-
tcadent Transportation Pickering ana
the undersg ned, urges the heavier
loading of freight cars. Since 'hat
cate, numerous letters have brrl
written by the undersigned to the
freight traffic staff setting forth the
constantly increasing car shortage
ana making various suggestions,
which contemplated incrca ed car
conservation in the shape of heavier
loading aad the prompt loading al d
unloading of freight equipment, sum.
married. below
Please note carefully the following
quotations from telegram from Re
gional Director Holden to Federal
Manager GOrman, under date of Aug
End:
BOX car situation becoming very
alarming and particularly critical in
territory east of Missouri river where
caute ear heritage exists for all
kinds of loading. -.
mand exceeds available supply Re.
ports Indicate that ears are not being
oade, unoaded and moved ~
promptly as should be. As prospects
are not favorable for securing help
from other regions only source We
have left for increasing supply is to
increase car mileage and the car load
Division officers and others
concerned should give this important
matter personal attention. doing all
possible to influence prompt and
l proper handling and maximum load.
ing of box cars"
Rock Island ear reports. dated
August Doth. indicate that a773 box