2 BULLETIN 191^ U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGEICULTTJRB. 



THE FARMER'S INTEREST IN DEMURRAGE. 



During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1912 (the latest for which 

 statistics are available), products of agriculture amounted to 11.27 

 per cent of the total tonnage of all commodities handled by the rail- 

 roads of the United States. ' 



This percentage is exceeded only by products of mines, which were 

 49.09 per cent of the total tonnage, manufactures, 13.47 per cent, and 

 products of forests, 17.11 per cent. Products of mines, products of 

 forests, and 8 of the 13 commodities classed as manufactures will load 

 heavier per car on the average than any of the 8 commodities classed 

 as products of agriculture, with the possible exception of grain. 



Regarded absolutely, the tonnage of agricultural jproducts is great 

 and the shippers of these products are interested in an adequate 

 supply of cars. To move a given tonnage of agTicultural products 

 requires a greater number of cars than to move the same tonnage of 

 the heavier loading commodities. Relatively, therefore, shippers of 

 agricultural products are more interested than other shippers in the 

 supply of cars. In addition, in agriculture there is a greater number 

 of shippers for a given tonnage moved than in either the mining, 

 manufacturing, or lumber industry, so that, measured by the number 

 of people directly affected, the interest of agriculture in car supply is 

 greater than that of other industries. The very nature of the business 

 and the character of the product offer additional and peculiar reasons 

 for agriculture being more vitaUy interested than any other industry 

 in car supply and car efficiency, both of which depend directly on 

 demurrage. 



Unhke forest products, mineral products, or manufactures, agri- 

 cultural products are seasonal. Harvest time brings the gi-eatest 

 demands on the roads for care. Lumber and minerals may be stored 

 in the open. Manufactures requiring protection from the weather 

 are provided,- for the most part, with ample storage facilities. Grain 

 must move when harvested because of lack at points of production of 

 storage facilities that will protect it against the risks of weather. 

 Aside from the question of storage, most fruits and many vegetables 

 must move as soon as harvested because of their perishable nature. 



Lack of cars may mean to the farmer a total loss of his year's labor. 

 To other classes it means inconvenience, delay in sales, and possibly 

 a partial loss, but not a total loss. To the farmers of the country, 

 then, the entire question should appeal strongly. They should be 

 prepared to consider all phases of it. Their influence should be felt 

 in securing regulations wisely planned and conducive to the best 

 interests of commerce as a whole. Exacting from the railroads long 

 periods of so-caUed "free time" for the loading and unloading of 

 cars is a temporary expedient at best. In reality there is no such 



