10 BULLETIN 191^ U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRIOTJLTTJEE. 



of tank cars, and collects S3 per day on all traffic in Arizona and 

 California and on tank cars in New Mexico. In some sections a 

 maximum of seven credits is allowed under the average agreement 

 and in others, in applying the average agreement, cars are divided 

 into two classes, box (inclucjing refrigerator), and all other cars, and 

 credits accruing on cai^ of one class may not be applied on cars of 

 the other class. 



The allowance of additional time for inspection and grading of 

 grain and hay is necessary under conditions as they now exist, with 

 different grades and standards effective in different cities and States. 

 Grain is probably reconsigned more than any other one commodity 

 and frequently must bear the burden of car delay in several markets. 

 Instances are on record of its having moved through 15 different 

 markets, in each of which it was subject to official inspection, before 

 it was finally unloaded. This constitutes a serious burden on that 

 commodity. Federal legislation fixing grades and standards for 

 interstate shipments would undoubtedly render much of the present 

 inspection and grading unnecessary. To that extent it would de- 

 crease the detention of cars now caused by frequent inspection and 

 grading and thus reheve agriculture of one unnecessary burden. 



The exemption from demurrage of cars ordered for loading five 

 stock in the territory of the Intermountain Demurrage Bureau and 

 that of the Pacific Car Demurrage Bureau offers an apparent advantage 

 to the hve-stock industry. A concession of this nature, however, is 

 without doubt a disadvantage in the long run to the shippers them- 

 selves. It is true that this section furnishes few other commodities 

 adapted to transportation in stock cars and that these cars are idle 

 and in storage a great part of the time. It is hkewise true that 

 frequently cattle must be driven long distances from range to loading 

 station and that it is sometimes difficult to determine accurately the 

 day cars wiU be needed. However, it should be borne in mind that 

 the movement of cattle is largely seasonal, that stock cars are none 

 too plentiful and that when they are needed they are all in demand 

 and everybody wants some of them. The imposition of an adequate 

 demurrage charge would cause them to be ordered exactly when 

 needed, to be used promptly, and released for other shippers. 



A GENERAL SURVEY OF STATE CODES. 



Even a casual examination of the statutes and orders of commis- 

 sions regulating intrastate demurrage reveals the fact that many of 

 them are loosely drawn and that some of them contain ambiguous 

 and conflicting provisions. As a whole they are fair to the raUroads. 

 Most of them could have been improved as to clearness of expression 

 had the assistance and cooperation of railroad men been sought in the 



