Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1895-04-10

overcharEes In rates is easy to adjust
but when II comes to the question OF
collecting for shortages and damaged
lumber caused by carelessness or
rough handling while I'm the possession
OF the railroad companies, we strike
stumbling block, especially SO when
Y shipment goes over two or mo.e lines
TO reach destination. Each road shows
"A clear record" Ohis phrase Is no
doubt famitar 10 every mill mani and
although the claim is backed UP by
the aihdavits OF both shipper and CON
signee, the claim is returned with the
meloncholy phrase respectfully de-
ciined." And this ends the matter un.
less the shipper wishes to 30 to the eN-
pense of bringing suit However, there
Is bill now pending in the legislator
called the connecting line bill" which
we think Will give q certain measure OF
relief. In the meantime the Individual
lumber dealer can render the mill man
great assistance by examining cars
before paying freight. and Il there is
any sign OF shortage or damage, re-
fuse TO pay the freight until the rail-
road company agrees In writing
through Its local agent TO make gcou
such loss or damage as may be found
10 exist said claim for loss or damage
TO be substantiatcd by affidavit of ship
per and eonslgnee. This would work
no unnecessary hardship or iniua-
tee TO the railroad companies. as We DO
not believe the min men or dealers
would perJure themselves Tor the sake
of the amounts involved IN these
elaims-and IL the lumber Is damaged
or lost in transit, the transportation
companies, and not the mill mon should
stand H. Let the dealer take the came
interest In the matter as though he had
no recourse on the shipper and we
guarantee there win be a grand I'm.
provement along this line.
we recommend that your next
committee make a strong effort with
the railroad companies 70 get them to
discontinue the practice OF transferring
lumbfr while In transit, as this is one
OF the most fruitful causes OF the evil
complained Of above, and with the
transferring nuisance discontinued. We
think claims for shortage and damaged
lumber VIII be reduced To the minimum
In case the railroad companies viii not
agree to discontinue transferring lum-
Der, then we further recommend that
said committee take the matter up with
the Texas railroad commission aud see
II they can secure the desired relief
The railroad companies sign Il bill OF
ladlng for lumber IN good condition aud
agree 10 deliver to consigncc IN Ike
condition. and they collect enough
large number OF shipments are trans-
ferred en- route and more or less
damaged, for which the shipper gets
no reitn We hold that Lumber can
not be transferred without sustaining
more or loss damage. and the sooner
the practice Is discontinued the better
II will be for the min man, tho dealer.
aud we also think the railroad com
panies Respectfully submitted,
IS, Il. CARTER, Chairman"
After some little general discussion
the above report was adopted.
The Insurance committees report, as
follows, was adopted without division;
Fort Worth. Tex. April .. iss5.-ro
the Lumbermen's Association OF Texas!
The committee on insurance OF your
association beg leave to report as fol-
llows;
I'VE have considered the matter Of
insurance and organizing an insurance
company for the benefit especially OF
our members, and while we feel that
such n company properly organized
and with sufficient ON deposit 10 make
It safe company for our members to
place their insurance with, we have
found Il impracticable during the past
year &c take any action in the matter
further than to Keep the subject In our
thoughts with view to ultimately or
gani2lng such company. The depres-
sion In our business and the lack OF
compensation for our Investment dur
Ing the past two years has prevented
making the forming Of such "a COM
pany a success. The laws Of our state
require at least one hundred thousand
dollars capital actually paid In be-
fore we could commence business, and
there has been at no time since our luSt
meeting possibility OF raising that
amount OF capital. Your committee re-
commend that the matter be kept alive
by the appointment Of new commit
tee, In order that action can be taken
by them II practicable before the next
annual meeting OF our association.
"R. ID. GRIBBLE, Chairman.
-. Il. WHITESELL.B,
80. BEDELL MOORE"
The finance committee submitted n
report which created great laughter
and was adopted over Mr., Cameron's
vote and voice, 1t read:
Fort worth, icA., april Or. d.
Gribhle. Esq, President Lumbermen's
Association OF TcXas-Dear Sir: Your
committee appointed on finance beg
leave to submit the following report
We congratulate the association on
Its splendid financial condition. 1t be-
Ing shown by the secretary'a report
tnat our resources are about double
our liabilities. and TO think Mr. Drake
for the able assistance given In bring
ing about this much-deslred result. We
would recommend that the secretary
be instructed to draw at sight ON all
members who are IN arrears on dues
and request them to respond promptly.
T.tl t.rar