Evening star., 1924-02-28
RAILROADS IN DRIVE.
FOR MORE=FRE|GHT.
Panama Canal Traffic Object
of Special Envy-Cut
Down Idle Cars.
BY J. c. ROYLE.

NEW YORK, February 2S.-The
railroads of the country are preparing
for the most vigorous kind of compe-
tition throughout the remainder of
the year, not only from each other
but from other methods of transpor-
tation. The steam and electric car
risrs of the country still are under
supplied with cars. Not only are the
carriers buying more equipment. but
sthey are doing their utmost to make
more efficient use of that already in
stalled
Inquiries for cars with equipment
manufa cturers now total more than
$4,000, with several additional thou
sand cars under consideration. Or
ders for 10000 and 10000 cars were
carried over into this year from 1923.
and conservative estimates place the
number 10 be put into service this
year at well over 100. 600. In spite OF
the heavy purchases in 1928. however,
more cars were retired th"n were
built. Yet the ton-miie ts>c of the
country last year was more tnan 340.-
600, 900 and promises to be even
greater this year.
Seasonal traffic has already begun
to look up. as is shown by late car
loadings. and carriers are taking
carried in each car and to speed up
the loading and unloading of their
equipment. Cars moved 20 per cent
more miles in 1923 than the previous
YEAR, and railroad executives are bent
on still further Improvement in this
respect
Shippers in the Philadelphia d: strict
have already received notice that the
carriers propose to withdraw the for
ty-eight-hour free use of cars, which
has been the custom to allow. Ship
peTs and consienees were permitted
that time in which to load and un-'
load cars before demurrage charges
were imposed. Under the neW rule,
however, II is proposed to make de-
murrage begin with the delivery of
the car.
May Appeal 10 1. G. {.
The reason assigned for the change
Is that to obviate car shortages in
periods OF peak loads II is necessary
20 cut the time of loading and un-
loading to the utmost and to avoid
tying UP equipment on SIdinGS. Busi
reSs men are opposing the proposed
change actively, and it is possible the
Interstate Commerce Commission may
be called m to adjust the matter.
The progress made by carriers in
increasing mileage and keeping equip
ment in repair may be estimated from
the experience or the southern Pa
cific, which is now loading 27.o tons
of freight or more per car, moving its
cars an average OF foTty-two miles a
day and holding large percentage of
Its cars and engine. in repair. In ad
dition each locomotive is being made
to haul per cent heavier load than
In former years
Canal Keen Competition,
Increase in the amount Of freight
passing through the Panama canal is
not being ovcrl 3oked by the railroads
as competitive factor. Indeed, Pres
ident Byram of the Chicago, Mlwau
T.,t- ~
Imagine nothing which would be of
greater benefit 10 the roads of the
northwest than 10 be able to handle
some of the Wcstbound freight now
going TO the Pacific coast by water.
The transcontinental carriers are urg-
ing that they be permitted to publish
rates which will enable them to COM
pete for this business.
Business men of the internOuntain in
and western. States, however. are bat
ting viDieu,ly to prevent transconti-
mental lines making any attempt 20
grant Pacific coast shipper, a low eli
rate for the long haul than that given
shippers a intermediate Joints.
MidweStern manufacturers are u-g-
ing reductions in rail rates to the
coast. arguing that unless they get
|, lower rail rates they cannot compete
with Atlantic coast manufacturers.
who can ship via Panama.
Situation in Western States.
Shippers in points such as Denver.
Ogden, Salt Lake. Boise. Butte and
Spokane do not object to the granting
of such lower rates provided these
intermediate points get a proportion
ate reduction.
s. w. Abbott. head of big Utah
wholesale hardware house. outlined
the attitude of this territory az fol-
lows: I'VE are tired of having to do
business under the handicap Of con-
tinuously fighting to prevent the
present rate structure being torn
down to favor Pacific coast shippers"
This fight arises out Of the fact that
the Interstate Commerce Commission
has cretfonary power to allow ex-
ccptionS to the general rule that rail-
roads shall not charge less for a long
haul than for short haul