The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-04-19
SHORT SHIPMENTS
 IN COTTON BALES
Sensational Stories Involving a
 Birmingham Concern
BALES WERE HALF WEIGHT
Savannah Cotton Men Here Investigat- ing-They Claim to Have Paid Drafts on Bills of Lading Specifying
 5o0-Pound Bales.

Representatives of prominent cotton firms in Savannah Charlotte and other points have been in Birmingham during the past few days investigating a cotton case calculated to develop very sensa- tional features within the next few days.
 It is claimed that large shipments of cotton have been made from Birming- ham under bills of Iading calling for practically double weights. Indeed. the claim Is made that large numbers of bales have been divided up and shipped in bales of about 25O pounds each and billed under bills of lading calling for 500-pound bales, such bills of lading hav- ing passed through fhe banks with drafts attached on cotton firms in Savannah and at other points. which drafts were paid before receipt of the cotton.
 Attempting to Recover.
 Representative of the firms who paid these drafts have been in Birmingham to investigate the matter and attempt to recover the difference between the amount paid on the drafts with bill of lading attached and the actual weight of cotton received It Is claimed that some of these shipments of 100 bales In lot were as much as 25,O0O pounds short, and in cotton circles in Birmingham and Savannah there Is a tremendous sensa- ton as to what will be the outcome.
 An effort was made yesterday to patch up the differences. Attorneys have been employed on both sides and were in com ference yesterday.
 The cotton firm in question in Birming ham, the representatives from Savannah and other points, and the railroad people all refuse to make any statements owing to the fact that negotiations are in pro- gross to effect a compromise. It is stated that something like $100,000 or more is involved in the various transactions, sev- eral thousand short bales having been shipped
 Among the cotton people of Savannah present yesterday were Messrs. L. M. Le Hardy W. K. Steedman, E. Hichhorn, MT. Crawford and others, and MT. San ders of Sanders, Orr & Co.,, of Charlotte, N. C. Each of the above parties Is said to have employed attorneys here and have instructed that suit bo filed unless a set clement can be reached.
 It is said that the railroads are serious ly involved in that they issued bills of lading for 300 pound bales of cotton when the actual bales shipped only weighed about 250 pounds each. Just how such transactions could occur has not been ex- plained Representatives of the Birming- ham concern said to be involved have re- fused to make any statement and the Savannah parties likewise decline to talk for publication.
 Among the cotton men, the banks and the railroad people yesterday there was all manner of gossip and claims made that the bales of cotton had been split In two and rebaled for shipment. In view of the fact, however, that the parties ae issue refuse to make any statement, the entire case Is involved in mystery, but ,.1,~ | 1,af flara xnyfII 1f plosion within the next few days.
 Savannah After the Railroads.
 telegram from Savannah last night over the Associated Press wires says:
 Savannah, Ga, April 1S.--It is stated tonight that the railroads will be called upon to make good the alleged short weight shipments of cotton from Bir- mingham, Ala. provided the shipping firm will not do so. Consignees assert that the railroads were at fault in receiving and handling short weight shipments.