The morning journal-courier., 1908-11-04
NEW BILL OF LADING
Important Action of Interstate Commerce Commission Put
 Into Effect Monday.
MEANS MUCH TO SHIPPERS
As We'll as to RHilroads--Commission Comments Simplicity md
 Fair Dealing.

The order of the Interstate com- meroe commission by which uniform bill of lading Ia to be adopted by shippers all over the country went in- to effect Monday, Although lot to be observed as rigidly at present as 1t will be after the first of the new year, nevertheless the order Is stringent ono.
 The action was brought about ow- ing to the numerous bills of lading with which the country is practically infested. There were, previous to the first of the month, three different forms authorized by the three differ ent classlhoations of the country; the oflicial, the southern and the western. Accordingly, q large number of pro tests were made to the commission and consequently the members of the commission ordered public hearing on the matter with the result that the above action was taken.
 The bill of lading is combined with a shipping order, both of which were prepared by representative of the committee of shippers and carriers after many conferences with banking and other interests of the country. One form of the combined uniform bill Of lading Is for use in what are known as straight shipments and are l printed on white sheets of paper. The ] other, which has been prepared 10 , meet the demand for order shipments is printed on yellow paper for the bill of lading and blue paper for the ship ping order. This startling effect in colors is designed to attract attention to this assortment of shipment which is an all important one among the shippers of the country.
 In the question of order shipments tne banking interests of the country were well represented and 1t was mainly at their suggestion that the colors as specified were adopted In speaking of the uniform bill Of lad ing the Interstate Commerce commis- sion says:
 Its adoption we are persuaded will be long step towards uniformity simplicity and certainty It will like wise be a long step in the direction of fair dealing between shipper and car rier, and 1t may be confidently expect ed to remove much of the confusion which now exists and to measurably avoid Tn the future tho irregularities and injustice which 1hve heretofore occurred"
 After the first of the year the ship DOTS will have no choice in the mat l ter for they will be compelled to use the bill of lading as prescribed by the commission. For the present, how ever, the shippers may use the bills of lading that they have been accus- toned to but it Is necessary that they stamp the bill with stamp in which they agree to comply with the condi- tions of the uniform bill of lading.
 A peculiar fact about the new bill of lading Is that while the length of the bill may be as desired by the ship per, the width of the same has been specified to be eight and one-lalf inches. An important feature of it also is the fact that the signature of the shipper must be affixed to the original bill of lading, shipping order and memorandum.
 A uniform classification of which F S. Holbrook, formerly general freight agent of the N. r., N. H. and Fl. R. R. company is Q member, and also chairman, Is at present in session at Chicago, and the out come of the meeting will be watched with consid- ernble interest among local shippers The plan Is specially suitable one and It's adoption would undoubtedly meet with general approval among the shippers of the New England states