The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1910-02-02

h OAoiutulu6 lEClSuI IdFIuS We
find that rates are divided into ten
separate classes, known as 1st, End,
Sd, 4th, 5th and A. B. C. d. & E. The
first four provide for shipments in
less than carload lots. In addition to
the above there are innumerable
commodity" or fixed rates applying
to certain commodities. These how
ever do not materially effect the i'm
plement dealer.
"The rates are made or at least
intended to lie made SO as to be fair,
considering the value of the articles,
the space and labor required in trans
portatiOn and the risk of loss and
damage. 1t is therefore obvious that
the first class is the higher one and
the lower in proportion to the above
mentioned conditions. This being the
case, it is quite often true that either
one of the first four classes may be
properly applied to the same article
being either the higher class which
means high rate or one of the lower
classes with prOportionate lower
rate depending upon the manner in
which it is packed, that is, as to
whether shipped "set up. knocked
down" or packed in boxes, crates
bundles or loose. Having had occasion
to audit thousands of freight bills
for dealers in the northwest this very
thing has come to my notice quite fire.
quently and quite little money
could have been saved for the retailer
If the articles had been shipped in
compliance with the tariffs and class
ffications SO as to entitle it to a lower
rate. To illustrate this point we will
take the common gang or sull1y plow
such as all of you handle and assum-
ing that the plow weighs 500 and is
shipped from Minneapolis to Willis
ton, N. D.
Saving Money.
"The classification provides that
plows shipped "set up" take the first
class rate while if shipped "knocked
down" the third class rate applies.
The provision in the classification
shows just what parts must be de-
tached in order that the plow may
be considered knocked down and if
all of these requirements are not
complied with the first class rate must
be applied. The first class rate is
96 cents per hundred being a differ
ence of 43 cents per hundred between
the two rates which would amount to
$2.15 on plow weighing 500 pounds
being the amount the dealer would
profit if the plow was shipped knock
ed down instead of set up. Surprising
that you handle forty plows during
the season the difference in this item
alone would be $50.
Another illustration is that of i'm
plement castings or repairs which are
handled quite extensiv+;- by all of
you during the barsy seasons. The
classification provides for the follow
ing classes according to the manner
of packing or shipping:
I'm boxes, barrels, crates or sacks,
fourth class.
In bundles, third class.
Loose when weighing less than
100 pounds. first class.
I'VE will take shipment of 500
pounds between the same points and
show the difference. >. between the
charge for the castings shipped in
bundles or loose. The charge il in
bundles would be 96 cents per hun
dred or $3.50; while If loose $1.39 per
hundred or $685., difference of s2.15.
There would still be a greater differ
ence 1t shipped in boxes, crates or
bags but have refrained from using
this illustration for the reason that
the cost of these packages would have
to be considered. which is not the case
as to comparison between bundles or
loose. / have been informed by some
of the jobbers that these castings are
shipped at very busy season of the
year when they have not the time
to bundle them. do not wish to take
issue against your jobber but at the
same time would also call attention
to the classification providing that
each and every package must be
marked with tag or in some other sub
stanttal manner. This mark must in
clude the full name and address of
the consignee and it would appear
that it would take no more time or
labor to tie two or more of these
castings together and then have to
attach only one tag or mark to the
lot, than it would to ship them sepa-
rate and then have to mark each
casting. This being a fact there is
only one other point to be considered
and that is whether it would be more
hazardous to ship the castings in bun
dies than loose. l am willing to ad-
NIT that in some instances this might
be the case, yet in the majority of
cases believe that it is equally as
safe to ship in bundles as loose. i'm
fact more SO in some. for the smaller
ones are more apt to become lost
when loose than if tied to others.
thereby making heavier or larger
package. There is one point of i'll
terest as to these castings when ship
ped in bundles. Ordinary iron cast
ings when the bundles weigh less than
100 pounds each take the first class
rate while as before stated the third
class applies on implement castings
regardless of the weight of the bun
die. l have noticed many instances
where the jobber shipped implement
castings as simply castings, the con-
sequence being that the dealer would
have to pay the first class rate. The
railroads are not to be censured for
this as they cannot be expected to
take more interest in the matter of
reducing the charges than the simmer