The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-12-19
UNIFORMITY OF CARS.
It is Considered a Prime Necessity by
the Grain Trade.

the Grain Trade.
New York, Dec. 19.-The Journal of
Commerce prints the following:
A special committee of the New York
Produce Exchange has finished its
labOrS in its attempt to remedy an
abuse that has recently crept into the
grain trade. The committee handed its
report to President Barrows, with the
recommendation that he call a special
meeting of the trade with a view of
having the work of the committee in
cOrporated into the regulat lions govern
ing the grain trade of the exchange.
The trouble arises from the absence
of uniformity of grain cars which, it is
claimed, gives western shippers an OPP
portunity to juggle with orders from
eastern buyers. 1t is charged that west
ern shippers are able to send large or
small cars according as the market be-
tween the date Of purchase and date of
shipment shall huctuate. If the market
declines, there is great inducement to
send large an amount of grain as
possible at the purchase price and a
large car is therefore selected If, on
the other hand, the market advances
there is corresponding incentive to send
as small an amount as possible, and a
small car is selected. Another source of
criticism is that western shippers have
been placing their own construction
upon what constitutes immediate and
quick" and prompt shipment and
If the market shows a declining ten
dency there has, it is claimed frequent
these terms to unreasonable limits
The committee, in its report, suggests
giving to each trade term a specific
meaning. Thus it has been recommend
ed that the term Immediate shipment"
shall mean that shipment shall be made
within three business days from the
date when shipping directions have been
received by the seller The term quick
shipment shall mean that shipment
shall be made within five days from the
date when shipping instructions have
been received by the seller The term
prompt shipment shall mean that
shipment shall be made within ten DAYS
exclusive of Sundays, from the date
when shipping directions have been re-
ceived by the seller. 1t shall be under
stood where no specification of shipment
is named in contract prompt ship
ment' shall apply, and shall be so con-
sidered and have the same force as
though it were actually specified in the
contract.
In all sales of grain and feeds in car
loads for future delivery a carload of
oats shall be deemed to contain 15OO
bushels, Of corn 800 bushels, of wheat 500
bushels, of rye 500 b7shels, of barley
1000 bushels, of mill feeds, in sacks,
10000 pounds. of mill feeds in bulk, 3d.
600 pounds
At a separate meeting of the grain ex-
port trade the question of securing q
modification of what is known as the st.
Louis t. O. b. contract form was dis
cussed- 1t was decided to send the fol-
lowing telegram to the American E1x-
porters' association, St Louis:
1.-THE export trade of New York at a
large meeting held this date, instructs
US to solicit suspension of new {. o. b.
grain contract conditions until their
proposals for notifications are laid be-
fore you
There are three clauses in the con-
tract form that are the subjects of crit
icisn and which, it is hoped, will be
amended The first is that calling for
five per cent more or less, as per Lon
don contract" 1t is suggested that ''at
buyers option according to the custom
of the loading port, be added to this
clause.
The second Objectionable clause pro-
vides that unless otherwise specified
buyer to give three days notice of YES
sells readiness to load 1t was voted
that this clause should be stricken out
Another objection at the meeting was
that payment should be made by sell
er's draft at sight with exchange"
Objection was also made to the clause
that buyers shall be held responsible
for the correctness of documents This
latter clause, it was suggested should
read as follows:
Sellers shall not be held responsible
for the correctness of the bill of lading
providing same shall be made out in
accordance with buyers Instructions"