Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-01-28
The New Mixed Car Rate

The announcement cf the railroads serving south
western territory that a new and more liberal mixed
car rule will soon he placed IN effect covering vegetable
and fruit shipments, establishing the carload rate for
each commodity contained in the car, Is welcomed BY
Lower Rio Grande Valley producing and shipping in
terests.
In recent years development Of the mixed car BUSH
ness into the smaller markets has been rapid, notwith-
standing the fact the Valley has been handicapped by
a mixed car rate which applied the highest rate for any
commodity in the car as we'll a the highest minimum.
Under the new rule the car can carry a general mix
ture. each commodity 20 Re carried a. the regular COM
modify rate. thereby placing the commodities upon
the same basis a. whine shipped IN straight cars. The
new rule also provides for = 2oooo-pound minimum.
which is fully as satisfactory to Valley interests as the
new rate.
Acceptance Of the new provision for mixed cars is
che direct result Of recommendations BY the state-wids
rate committee recently created by Texas shippers and
receivers. Of which J. r. Blanton, traffic manager for
the Brownsville Chamber Of Commerce. is a member.
The recommendations ~ this COMMITTEES we're presented
20 southwestern carriers By the Missouri Pacific and
Southern Pacific, and the carriers urged 70 accept 4.
Through the combined effort az the committee and the
railroads serving the Valley the new rule was accepted
by all southwestern roads.
While the direct saving II rates will amount -
100000 to 100000 annually. the major benefit viii
be derived through the opening 81 new and very pro4it-
able markets. Practically an mixed cars g. into the
minor markets, markets which cannot handle straight
cars Of the various commodities. The high rate i'm
posed under the ola rule prevented satisfactory mix
lures for many ~ the smaller markets. The new rule
will permit the shippers TO supply every market with
practically every commodity desired. each commodity
going at it's carload rate.
Immediate development Of additional markets is PRE-
dictsd ~ the shipping interests of the Valley. They
point out that notwithstanding the handicap Of the old
rule, mixed car shipments from this section exceeded
5000 last year, these cara goinE into the smaller towns
and cities. They also predict that this season the to-
tai, which already constitutes over 40 per cent ~ VAL
ley vegetables shipments, will run close 10 1000 cars.
the new rule giving the small markets which are IN
able to handle straight ears OF commodities the same
advantages enjoyed by the larger markets from which
the smaller towns and Cities heretofore have been
obliged 20 draw their supplies. The new rule also
makes mere liberal provisions for mixtures Of fruit and
vegetables. which gives the snail markets very liberal
rates, and which will prove an important factor in Gre
atinE new outlets fer Valley grapefruit.
The Missouri Pacific and South Pacific have worked
a. close cooperation with the ststs-wide committee 70
secure acceptance Of the new rule BY southwestern car
riers. Officials Of those roads held the view thar while
the new rule would cut rates on the individual ship
rent. the increased volume Of business that would fol-
low development Of the mixed car trade would more
than compensate fer the rate reduction. They realized
that 70 build up the business . very liberal rate is nee
essary. and both the Valley and the carriers will profis
Is q result u the movement 70 open new market and
increase the vcluns cf tonnage moving iron this
secticn.