The daily sentinel., 1907-10-15
FIGHT ON
THE BILL
WILL APPROVAL
Be Given Interstate Com
merce Commission 70 the
New Tariff Laden--ROads
Don't Like 1t.
(sentiners Special New, serylee)

washington. Oct. i5.-A final
hearing on the proposed uniform biil
of Iadihg is being held by the inter
| state commerce commission today
| when representatives of the comnon
carriers appeared to show cause why
the proposed from should not be ap-
proved and prescribed by the com
| mission as a just and reasonable
| regulation to be observed after Jan
| uary1, 1908. Several organ1zattoEs
of merchants are also represePses fef
| the pupose of asking an ablsnhfnesl1
| which will protect the interests OF
those who pay shippers drafts and
RELY on the bills of BadiAg attached
| for protection. In the past there
has been no way to VeFtify each bill
of lading. every dealer relying upon
the regularly signed bill, while ia
many states the law does not make
the carrier liable. 10 correction of
this situation has been attempted
in the new uniform bill Of iadiag.
The plan offered by the eOuaJsereiaa
organizations to remedy ,he diSftaB l.
ty is to have the bills OF iadiaS tusa5
for advances from merchants and
bankers issued and redeemed by
number, as in the case Of railroad
tickets. If this plan is not accept
able TO the commission, an effort
will at least be made TO have a
fair wording of the documents, 90
protect the holder against fraudu-
lent issues and clearly detiLe his
rights.
Among conditions governing the
use of the property described in a
bill of lading shall be liable for apy
loss thereof or damage thereto ex-
cept under specified conditions. Car
riers shall not be liable for the loss
or damage not coneurring on their
own road or portion of the through
route nor after the property has been
delivered to the next carrier, except
as such liability may be imposed by
law. and any carrier shall be entit-
led to recover from the common car
rier. rail road or transportation com
pany on whose line the damage shall
have been sustained the amount OF
| the loss it is required to pay the
owner.
No carrier is bound to transport
property to any particular vessel or
| train in time for any particular mar
| ket, unless by special agreement in
dorsed on the bill of lading. Proper
| ty is to be subject to necessary bal
| ing or cooperage at the owners cost
Property not removed by the party
entitled to it within forty-eight hours
after notice of its arrival has beer
duly sent or given, may be kept IL
car depot or place of delivery oi
| the carrier, subject to reasonable
| charge.
No carrier will be subject to liza.
bility for property of unusual value
save under special agreement Ship
pers shall pay freights and all Other
charges accruing on property before
delivery. Additions or alterations II
bills of lading shall be without ef
| feet and the bill enforceable accord
ing to it's original tenor.
Following today's hearing, the In,
| terstate commerce commission vii
tomorrow hear the Pacific coast fun
Der case. The latter Is regarded a.
one of the most important complaint.
filed since the passage Of the new
railroad rate law. A number OF rail
roads, including the Hartman lines
are named as defendants by Paeif,
t0ast lumbermen.