vie 2is 
This comparison considers not only basic freight rates, but also refrigeration 
charges and costs of cartage from the railroads to the warehouses of wholesale 
receivers. In addition, an analysis. of the structure of both rail and truck 
rates has been made, A tabulation of the volume of movement of the foregoing 
commodities from Florida to major markets is also presented. 
DESCRIPTION OF RATE DATA 
Railroad Charges 
Basic Freight Rates 
The principal cost of shipping by railroad is the basic freight rate. The 
rates used in this study were the lowest charges available for carload lots. 
Carload lots involve minimum weights varying among commodities and areas. The 
rates were obtained from published tariffs. 
Refrigeration Charges 
Fruits and vegetables, as well as certain other commodities, frequently 
require protective services--refrigeration or heating in transit. h/ In the 
case of the movements analyzed in this survey, consisting of shipments from 
Florida, refrigeration is the service required. Various types of refrigeration 
service are offered by the railroads, at varying charges, depending chiefly 
upon the cost to the carriers, For example, "standard" refrigeration calls for 
initial icing in bunkers plus reicing to capacity at all regular icing stations, 
over the route of travel, which are located approximately 2) hours running time 
apart, -Rule 2,0 of the Perishable Protective Tariff calls for initial icing in 
bunkers, but without reicing, Rule 2l3 calls for initial top or body icing; 
that is, ice on top of the packages in the body of cars instead of in the 
bunkers of the cars, Ventilation is the manipulation of hatch covers and plugs 
of cars to permit or prevent the passage of airs no ice is furnished. The 
charges for protective services were obtained from published tariffs. 
The type of refrigeration service used differs according to commodity, 
season of the year, length of haul, etc, For example, tomatoes are generally 
shipped green and require relatively little refrigeration, frequently only a 
initial icing. Sweet corn requires much more refrigeration, genera” | standard. 
refrigeration plus top icing, Florida potatoes typically require - .1y venti- 
lation, for which there is no charge. 
Less icing is required during cooler weather than in summer, Shorter 
hauls of some commodities may get by with initial icing only, while .longer 
hauls of the same commodities may require reicing en route, If a freight car 
is not wmloaded promptly at destination, additional ice may be necessary. ‘The 
condition of the commodities is also a factor; fruits and vegetables which are 
riper than usual may require more refrigeration, while commodities less ripe 
than usual may require less than the customary refrigeration. 
l/ The costs of loading and mloading freight cars must also be borne by 
shippers and consignees. These costs are not considered in this survey because 
such costs must, to a large extent, also be borne by shippers and consignees 
if trucks are used, However, truck employees frequently aid in loading and uwn- 
loading by handling the produce within the truck, or by supervising such handling. 
