The railroad people say there is nothing they can do.

I've taken it up with them.

The explanation they offer is that during the summer they sent most of their rolling stock East, to take care of an unprecedented demand there.

For some reason or other--which they don't attempt to explain--the cars haven't been coming back as they should.

It looks to me, Lawler, like you owners are in for a bad winter." "What about the law, Hatfield; can't we force them to supply cars ?" Hatfield's smile came out--it was sarcastic.
"The wise law-makers of the state, who gave the railroad company a franchise, neglected to provide a punitive clause.