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Show CAR SHORTAGE! I BE ACTED UPON I Railroads Must Show Cause "H Why Drastic Orders Shall Not Be Issued. 11 CLAIM NO AUTHORITY H Representatives Summoned Before Interstate Commerce Commission to Discuss Traffic Congestion. Washington, Dec. 28. Representa-tives Representa-tives of railroads throughout the coun- ' try today appeared before the inter- jH state commerce commission to show cause why th'e commission should not take into its own hands the car short-age short-age situation, heretofore dealt with by the roads themselves, and issue dras- ' tic orders to relieve congestion. The order which the commission ap-parently ap-parently is preparing to issue, unless the roads show cause why it should , not, would require the roads to return : to connecting lines all foreign cars on ' their tracks after unloading. Hereto- 'H i fore the railroads have endeavored to ll ' cope with the situation by requiring I roads in the east where the congestion ! is greater to return to connecting lines I monthly a larger number of foreign cars than received. Rules Are Disregarding. This requirement is said to have been largely disregarded by certain eastern roads, with resultant upset of the relief plans. While congestion of ifl I traffic is said to be somewhat less at IH 1 present than recently, the improve- iH ment In conditions apparently has not ll ! hppri rnnlri ns thp. commission ex- ' .H pected it would be. ' Claim Commission Has No Authority iH One of the phases of today's hearing H was the claim advanced by certain rail- , road interests that the commission ap- jH parently was without authority to is- fl sue such an order as suggested in to- day's summons. jJ George Hodges, secretary of the car jH service commission created by the American Railway association, the first witness, said that it had been fl agreed that the commission should have all the authority of the railroad executives over car distribution. Tho Grand Trunk, he said, had refused to be bound by the rules which had Im- jf posed an increase in the per diem rate j for rental. He said thirty-seven in- ll j spectors were out checking up the rail- H roads. H |