The St. Lucie County tribune. (Fort Pierce, St. Lucie County, Fla.) 1905-1920, 1911-09-01
NEW RULING
ON BAGGAGE
Southeastern Association Pro.
muIgates Size and Value Order
TRUNKS TO BE INSURED
New Order Places Trunks Over Forty Five
Inches in Length as Excess Baggage
Regardless of Weight

The supervision of railroad commits
sions throughout the country and more
particularly the Interstate Commerc
Commission, undoubtedly makes for un
lformlty in both passenger and freight
tariff regulations. Not many months
ago each road was a law unto itself
now tariffs are not only uniform in size
and arrangements, but the passenger
fares are so stated that they can be
readily understood by the travelling
public. Furthermore, all tariffs show
specifically what stOpover privileges
may be had, and all the conditions that
govern the use of the ticket when pur-
chased.
In line with these requirements of the
Southeastern Passenger Association,
embracing all lines south of the Ohio
and Potomac rivers. and east of the
Mississippi river, has just distributed
baggage tariff, which covers the entire
subject of handling baggage by all car
riers in the territory mentioned.
One of the new rules limits the size
OF baggage to forty cubic feet up to
and including June 30, 1912. After
that date there will be a charge equal
to ten pounds of excess baggage made
for each inch over forty-fve inches
In other words, if a trunk is more than
the stipulated forty-fve inches it will
be necessary to pay for excess size,
even though it weighs but $50 pounds
or less. If it weighs more than $50
pounds 1T wi be necessary to pay for
excess weight, also for excess size.
Another rule requires owners to de-
clare the value of their baggage, if the
valuation is more than $lOO- that is the
traveller whose baggage is valued at
more than 500 and who wishes the
railroad companies to be responsible for
the greater valuation, must so notify
the baggage agent of the railroad when
same is presented to be checked and pay
in accordance with the table that is
part of the tariff. The excess weight
tariff and the excess valuation tariff |
are based on the price of the ticket. |
For example, if a trunk weighs 25O
pounds, and is valued at 5000, while the
ticket costs $25, the traveller would pay
81 20 for the extra 100 pounds weight,
and forty cents for the extra 500 val
uat,on. However, if the agent is not
notified that the value of the trunk is
5000, and statement signed to that
effect, the liability of any railroad will
not exceed 500 and the traveller will
not pay the forty cents. In other
words, under the new rule, a person
can, by laying small amount, insure
their baggage up to So, 500.
The only other rule that affects PEG.
pie along the East Coast of Florida is
the one charging for the transportation
Of bicycles. Heretofore the Florida
East Coast Railway has made no charge
locally for handling bicycles, but in the
interests of uniformity they could not
very well refuse to be party to the
tariff. After the new tariff is in effect
all bicycles will be charged for. All
provisions of the tariff take effect Sep
tember lst, except as noted.
All agents of the Florida East Coast
Railway are supplied with copies of the
.ariff, which are subject to examination
by the public. Application to agents
and baggage agents for information or
Tor the privilege of examining these
.ariffs will be promptly and courteously
compiled with.