14 BULLETIN 191_, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGEIOULTUEE. 



away, to some extent, with the discrimunation against the small 

 shipper, in the furnishing of cars, as compared with the man con- 

 troUing large tonnage. This has been of especial benefit to the 

 farmer. In addition to enabHng him to secure cars more promptly 

 when needed, it has had a very powerful influence in awakening the 

 conscience of the railroads to the needs of the farmer and in bring- 

 ing the raih'oads to a fuller realization of the fact that their pros- 

 perity depends on the prosperity of their patrons. 



It must be admitted, however, that "reciprocal demurrage" is 

 open to the objection of making possible coUusion between carriers 

 and shippers whereby carriers may pay rebates, or purchase routing, 

 through the medium of failure to furnish cars on fictitious orders. 

 Similarly the payment of demurrage has been avoided by coUusion 

 whereby cars have been set out in transit and held at intermediate 

 points till consignees were ready to receive them. 



OTHER PROVISIONS OF THE STATE CODES. 



THE DEMURRAGE RATE AJSd) NORMAL FREE TIME. 



The two most important features of any demurrage code are the 

 time allowed for loading and unloading and the charge made for 

 detention of cars beyond the free time. Under the uniform rules 

 the free time is 48 hours and the charge $1. In the 24 States regu- 

 lating intrastate demurrage either by statute or orders of the rail- 

 road commission the charge is $1 except in Oregon, California, and 

 Arizona. In Oregon the charge is $2 and in California and Ai'izona 

 it is $3. In Montana it is $2 after the first 5 days after the expira- 

 tion of free time. 



The normal free time for loading and unloading is 48 hours in aU 

 the States except four. Florida allows 72 hours, Nebraska 36 hours, 

 New Jersey 3 days, and Vermont 4 days. 



ADDITIONAL TIME FOR UNLOADING. 



In the matter of unloading, Alabama and Arkansas allow 72 hours 

 on 13 specified commodities. Florida allows 96 hours on 9 com- 

 modities. Georgia allows 60 hours on coal. Michigan aUows from 3 

 to 15 days on various commodities. Seventy- two hours are allowed 

 on 5 cormnodities in Minnesota, on 10 in Montana, on 19 in South 

 CaroUna, on 2 in Texas, and on 14 in Virginia. 



The agricultural products allowed additional time for unloading 

 in Alabama, Arkansas, and Virginia are fertihzers and hay and the 

 following commodities in bulk: cottonseed, cottonseed huUs, grain 

 and potatoes. Alabama includes cottonseed meal also. The farmer 

 derives an immediate benefit from the additional time allowed on 

 fertilizers, and cottonseed products. Additional time on the other 

 commodities give him a direct advantage only as he occasionally 



