The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-09-11
BIC REDUCTION IN
EXPRESS RATES
New Tariff Goes Into Effect
October Is, Unless Held
Up by Court.
HOW RICHMOND BENEFITS
Chamber Table Shows Cut on
Packages to Many Points
i'll Local Territory.
HOW RICHMOND BENEFITS

Sweeping reductions in express rates
for all points in the United States have
been prescribed by the Interstate Com
mcrce Commission. These changes
Will become effective on October Is
unless the commission allows the ex-
press companies more time for their
preparation. or the express companies
resist the commissions order. which
Is not believed likely. New rules and
regulations OF great benefit TO the pub
lie have also been promulgated by the
commission in a recent decision on the
subject OF express rates and pra Offices
The commissions action follows
complaint filed with 1t by 4 number of
commercial organizations. including
the Traffic Bureau OF the Richmond
Chamber OF Commerce.
Features of Ruling.
To fully detail and explain in limit
cd space the various rules and regu-
!at!ons simplifying the transaction Of
express business and reducing the
rates is impossible. but a statement OF
the principal innovations may be
summed UP as follows
The adoption OF the block system OF
stating rates.
The establishment Of a uniform
classification of simple character
The publication OF a joint directory
OF express stations. fixing the location
Of every such station by block num-
Der.
The publication jointly OF the pick
up and delivery limits at every station
Tho adoption OF new form OF ex-
press receipt. the terms OF which are
clear, specific and reasonable
aIo
oni class rates TO apply on articles of
food or drink teNcept where otherwise
specified IN the classification and
ruled at 10 per cent OF the hrs,- class
rate with certain additional provisions
not possible OF extended mention.
The adoption OF rule FOR aSgregat-
Ing weights on two or more packages
forwarded by one shipper at the same
time upon one receipt TO one coneignec
At one local address, fixing the appli-
cation Of the rate upon the actual
weight OF each such article when
above ten pounds, instead OF when
above twenty pounds. This is In
reality q rate reduction in weight. on
which the reduced rates in the table
apply. The two constituting double
reduction.
The adoption OF rules providing for
valuation charges. c. o. -. shipments.
E'Nui !Icu shipments, prompt settlement
OF claims and prompt disposition of
undelivcrcd and refused shipments
saving on Light Packages.
II VIII be seen that OF packages OF
100 pounds. for shor; distances the
commission has made few reductions :;
in fact, in n few instances rates on
packages ranging from fifty to 100
pounds have been slightly advanced
the material reductions have been
made on packages OF f:ty pounds and
under. and by the rule governing ag-
gregated weights mentioned above,
which constitute ithe preponderanc &C
of express traffic. and is where the re-
lief was most needed.
The commission has so simpIified the
express traffic that any person of ordi-
nary intelligence can understand them,
and can ascertain the rate between
Richmond and any other place, a feat
heretofore absolutely Impossible.
This can be easily demonstrated to
anyone by z. s. Goodman, the Cham
Der OF Commerce traffic manager, who
states that under the block system
prescribed by the commission the num-
Der Of separate rates published by the
express companies throughout the
United States Will be reduced from
900.0OO,o00 to 100000 Mr. Goodman
stands ready to furnish any lnforma-
ton desired in reference to the new
rates