The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-08-10
RAILROAD NEWS.
A Revolution of Freight Claims
in This Country.
National Crouch" Transformed
to Entire Satisfaction.
SHIPPERS PLEASED
Railways Trying to Do Away
With Old Troubles.
Other Items of General Interest
in Traffic World.
SHIPPERS PLEASED

A revolution in freight claims" is re-
ported by the Railway Business asso-
citation. manufacturers of material
equipment and supplies, in STORY OF
how by cooperation the shippers, the
railways and the government have
transformed a national crouch into
fast spreading satisfaction"
Five years ago, says President
George A. Post, practically every snip
per in the United States regarded
freight claims as a grievance; today
many of the men employed to handle
such claims for concerns or for bureaus
say that while there is still room Tor
improvement in connection with TINS
ancient grievance. satisfaction mas
largely taken the place Of resentment
1.-THE railways" Mr.. Post says, are
constantly doing progressive and cred .
table things of which the public should
be told" This pamphlet is published
ito impress upon the shippers some or
the things they can do to help achieve
still better methods" and Ito lay be-
fore the carriers, together with the
praise the criticisms still made, in the
confidence that they desire full in
formation and win act with vigor upon
any feasible suggestions"
Quotations are given from letters OF
shippers. traffic bureau managers and
others from Seattle to Boston
Interstate Commerce Commissioner
Harlan, who has freight claims i'll
charge, has found the carriers mot
only ready but willing to cooperate
through the Freight Claim association.
The frame of mind in which the rail-
roads have set about the problem s
illustrated by a quotation from
speech Of J. S. Trustin of the Missouri
Pacific, who has just relinquished the
presidency of the Freight Claim asso-
afn MT To hoo 11a i<arr
ances of the American people and have
them explained if the claimants are
wrong and have US work for more eff
ficiency if we are tagging"
The pamphlet describes the elaborate
efforts of various railway associations
in different departments to expedite
claim settlements and prevent loss,
damage and overcharge. There are also
descriptions of the efforts made by
business associations to bring about
among shippers an Improvement in
packing, marking and the presentation
of claims, and a chapter on the activi-
ties of the government, which in the
matter of packing now regulates the
shipper in the interest of lower Operat-
ing costs, and hence lower freight rates,
and regulates the railroads to be sure
that no freight claims are paid as dis
guised rebates.
Criticism by shippers and others for
the benefit of the railways and criti-
cisms by the railways as to the meth
DDS of shippers are given. 1t appears
that in Chicago there is a movement on
the part of jobbers to secure smoother
settlement of claims, particularly over
charge, occurring at stations out on the
line, where the consignee is not able to
employ a traffic manager and the sta
ton agent has not full power.
The pamphlet concludes with the fol-
lowing:
IF every consignee were endowed
with tolerance, good humor and the re-
sources for employing experts similar
1y equipped, the shortcomings of the
station agent would be more charitably
borne; or if every station agent could
possess justice, wisdom, diplomacy and
tact, and could have ample assistance
and unlimited authority. the necessities
and desires of consignees would be an
ticipated, their errors condoned and
their peace of mind assured. You car
not remake that consignee and that
agent by statute. You have already
developed both of them by education
and your further achievement will be
accomplished through gradually raising
In every region the standards of ef-
ficiency, of tact and of goodwill on
both Sides