The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1913-01-28
The Size
Of Trunk TO Be Settled By
Interstate Board
Travelling Men Awaiting An
Important Decision

Washington, Jan. 24-Manufactur. |
ers Of the so-called wardrobe" trunks |
and Wholesale firms in all parts Of the
country employing travelling statesmen
are awaiting with no little interest the
decision of the interstate commerce
commission on the question Of how long
a trunk the railroads may be required
to carry. The final hearing was held
here Saturday, and the commission
has taken the case under advisement.
T Should the regulations upon which
the eastern and western railroads have
agreed be allowed to 30 into effect, not
only these firms, but the general pub
lie as well will be affected, for II is
proposed to make extra charges on all
long trunks Of the wardrobe variety,
and to refuse an pieces Of baggage ov.
or certain length.
The limit on free baggage as pro-
posed by the roads would be IS inch
es, and charges would be made on ex-
cess length as well as on excess
weight. No piece Of baggage, over 20
inches long would be accepted. The
only exception to be made would be
in the case of sample whips, immi-
grants baggage and theatrical para
phernalia.
The question has not been one In
which the public has concerned itself
greatly, nor which primarily affects
its convenience. 1t has been the gar
ment manufacturers. the makers Of
cloaks, skirts and millinery. of umbrel.
las. fishing rods and guns and sport
ing goods of all kinds who have dis
cussed the question from the moment
when the railroads published the pro-
posed restrictive regulations.
Yet, according to the reports made to
the Interstate commerce commission.
there has been In the last few years a
growing disposition on the part Of the
travelling public AZ well as the CONNER.
cial travellers. to use the innovation
: or wardrobe trunk. greatly exceed
Ing the length Of the old fiat trunk
. and, according to the railroad men
seriously interfering with the hand
ling OF baggage and even causing con
stant delay to trains.
In the hearings that have been held
= It has developed that majority OF ths
lines of trade who would supposed,
: he most affected by the proposed reg
ulations are wiling to conform to thu
As and 7O-inch limitations. The mos
prominent exception TO this has bcei
j. the garment manufacturers, the mos
OF whom are insistent upon using tn
wardrobe" trunk for carrying and dis
playing their goods and who declare
that 45inch limit would seriously al
feet their business.
Sporting goods men have testiiie,
that they could meet the restrictive
rules by various desires, sample gun
could be carried with special shor
Y barrels, fishing rods could be fltte'
with special joints, and that In tn
case fgoods such rs golf sticks an
the like they we're wiling to pay tn
excess charges. Dry goods salesmet
s. hat manufacturers. clothing house
ID have testified either that the thou'
Ie ands of sample trunks. used by ther
s. were of the 45-inch dimension or less
IN or could be introduced and used b
d. them without great Inconvenience.
10 Garment and cloak people declare
" however. that the use of the ware
z robe" or innovation trunk is OF In
II mense value to them and that SO nee
=. essary has become this form Of ca
rier to their trade, free carriage lin
A. Il Of As inches would amount to almos
W q discrimination against their bus
" ness.
u Their salesmen have testified tina
.. the use OF these trunks enables tn
n display Of goods to the buyer In muc
m better shape; meets business n
"A quirement that IL an advantage In sci
4, Ing goods. and that they can sho'
" their goods without the labor and los
Ia Of time attendant upon unpacking an
,e packing again In each town, the good
"a being already hung and held on rack
\. Thus the question has become larg'
> ly one OF whether this industry shoul
! pay for the service II requires In ca
rying trunks In excess OF 45 inches
Tho contention of the railroads Is this
- the value of the service rendered b
~ them In transporting long trunk
: greater. that the labor Is greater an
!, that therefore q reasonable exces
charge should be made.
A secondary point to be decided b
nt the Interstate commerce commissio
D. Is what constitutes q reasonable q
cess charge. The eastern railroad
-.