The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1914-09-03
INCORRECT FREIGHT
CHARGES ANNOYING

Troubles of the fruit grower are
many. They are divided between pro-
duclng the highest grade Of fruit pos
slble and marketing same. Not the
least among their troubles is the bug
bear Of shipping, made 50 owing to the
intimate knowledge required to rightly
gain correct rates, facilities, etc. The
large handling organizations are now
taking this trouble from the shoulders
of the grower, handling great numbers
Of growers with the same expedienCy
that would be possible with one or a
few.
The shipping of fruit is dependent to
great extent upon freight conditions
The grower realizes he must know if
he operates Independently, the most
efficient methods, rates, lines, branch
es, etc. before he is able to make the
maximum in profits. An example is
shown in tho overcharge and under
charge situations which are likely to
prevail. An associationsat the present
time exists which is supposed to be
made up Of experts in interstate com.
merce. 1t is their duty to ascertain
the correct methods Of billing, handling
charges against shippers and minimiz-
ing the work for the railroads. Under
one head, in this way, it was generally
believed that not only the railroad
would find its work facilitated but the
grower would be less likely to find
errors in his shipping and waybils.
However, 1t has been found that a
great many mistakes do occur for
which there seems to be no just rea-
son. This consists of undercharglng
and oyerChaTging-One as annoying as
another. if not more so. In under
charging, the railroads have a right,
under the interstate commerce law to
correct an undercharge by collection
This causes in the growers case hav-
ing to pay charge on an account which
he COnsiderd closed. The same is true
OF an organization handling the grow
er's products. A great many times the
books must be reopened many months
afterwards to care for this contingency.
j. C.. Robinson, traffic manager of
the Northwestern Fruit Exchange. is
emphatic in his statement that some
relief should be given to this condition.
lie is at the present time taking the
matter up with the Association of
American Railway Accounting Officers
of Chicago. In addressing them he
writes.
I'VE are sales agents of green fruits
for various shipping associations in the
states Of Oregon, Washington and Ida
no. 1t is our duty to sell collect for
and render correct accounting for this
fruit to the growers, remitting them
the full proceeds, less correct amount
of fruit and transportation charges and
other expenses,
able. 1t requires immediate delivery
on arrival at destinations. Disputes
over freight bills at time of, or before
delivery Of shipments, cause delay.
Delays to fruit cause loss aud damage
"A large per centage Of these ship.
ments Of soft fruits, in particular, are
purchased by buyers to be sold at auc.
ton at once on arrival. They are
scheduled and listed to be sold at a
certain place on certain date and
hour. The whole process is one of
quick and uninterrupted movement. 1t
rs impractical and an impossibility tC
check, verify or confirm the correctness
Of freight charges on such shipments
before delivery IS made and accepted.
The bills must be paid coincident with
delivery, and errors reculied later,
we receive freight bills with remit.
tance from customers at points from
one to three thousand miles from Port.
land. We then revise them, that set,
tement with shippers of the fruit may
be full and without exceptions. 1t is
not desired that any differences be car
red over We want each transaction
to be closed fully and finally when il
occurs
"Ihe growers of this fruit are farm.
Crs not merchants. 1t is not within
their business experience and training
to be familiar with or accustomed t.
freight tariffs. 1t is part of our con
tract with them to protect them in
their relations with railroads and ship
uGrs. they expect US to render settle.
ments free from errors in freight
charges or otherwise. 1t is difficult,
expensive and confusing to be continu-
ally adjusting overcharges or under
charges with these growers.
If a settlement has been made on
any given shipment, 1t is practically
impossible to reopen 1t for alteration of
freight charges. This compeIs us to
check each and every freight bill with
utmost care, and we find many, far too
many mistakes in rates, extensions
icing charges, or other errors. Under
charges are really more hothersome
than overcharges.
'When bills for undercharges are
presented which we are unable from
lack of advice to detect, when revising
the expense bills, it requires reopening
our settlement with shipping associa-
tion and they in turn with interested
growers. The growers are not familiar
with the Interstate Commerce law and
cannot understand why these charges
are legitimate, or why, like any other