The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-08-26
An Appeal from a Baggage Smashcr.
TO TIE EDITOR OF THE HERALD.

An Appeal from a Baggage Smashor.
TO TIE EDITOR OF THE HERALD.
NEW YORK, August 26, 1859.
noticed an article your issue this morning, refe
renee to the of the baggage masters and thu
rough reckless in which they handled trunk
upon the railroads. Of the unfortunate individual who
signs himself "V," who bad cole leather trunk and
vase literally torn and broken to pieces in less than three
weeks tme who desires thst you should administer
reprimand to those ruthless smashers.
My object in answering that article not to sympathis
with the gentleman TO propose any plan whereby this
evil be obvated. merely desire to offer few sug
gesons not only TO the gentleman in question, but To
the travelling community In general, which,
.tel convinced, will in great measure mt
gate, if Tot totally remedy, the evil 30 bit
tcrly complained Of viz in referencea TO the purchase
Of trunks Although engaged in the manufacturing
Of trunks nor in any way concerned in the sale thereof
nevertheless an familiar with the process Of manufac
turing aleo Of the materials used having been for many
years engaged business that requires the handling
very much baggage. do assert not only from observa
on from long experience that the fault Of oil the
trouble annoy ance destruction Of which the traveller
20 bitterly complains, in many Instances produced by
this short sighted economy or ~ being over crsd1lous
recently demolished, and which feel confident will
convince you that the baggage vutures," which
them are not to blame. gentleman recently ar.
rived at OF the railroad dep01 Of this city
and, feeling somewhat concerned as TO the safety
process handling the trunks Several large and heavy
trunks removed somewhat hurriedy but not very
ade for use No damage done however until at length
the trunk belonging the gentleman who stood watching
GO g.
which believe In consequence Of the handles being
stuck in with two brass headed nails Tor supposed to
but however, In nothing but paper pgs), fell heavily
10 the ground which, however, any ordinary trunk would
have withstood, but which completely smashed his. I
gentemans rsge on the discovery Of his splendid sole
feather trunk being broken he cursed loud and deep
against the railroads. the directors the conductors the
the company escaped his wrath swearing by all great and
good be would Immediately resort 10 auch legal
the rRe had %
calmly approached him, and inquired Of him the value OF
the trunk that had been go shameiuy and wantonly de-
sroy ed. Hereped that he paid fifteen dollars for IT, and
it was warranted to be solid sole leather here took
issue with the gentleman and commended that the trunk
stance resembling sheep skin, sample Of which here
enclose this remark Of mine the gentleman proceeded
70 a. ad Sssn ns s
that thought not for any person who reads the papers
plainly that sole leather suitable for trunks
ranged for the LAST two years from SO to 40 cents per
pound and any with the least particle OF mechanical
genius can calculate how many POUNDS Of leather would
opg SAY ps nothing about the workmsn.hp which am
informed by impartial parties to be worth six dollars
trust Mr.. Editor, that you will excuse this intrusion
columns are always open to the oppressed and calun
Mated avail myself Of your generosity 10 vindcate the
much abused baggage Bmasnere ana reouKe the asser
ons and accusations of those economical and outraged
travellers who travel with pastebrard boxes and calico
valses. ShASHER
RBMARKs.-We have received the specimens OF
the smashed trunk, and we find that the smasher's
statement is entirely correct so far the quality
of the nail and piece of leather are concerned
The brass head of the nail is actually filled in with
pdpier mache or brown paper, and the leather is
of the thickness of common grocers paper.