The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-06-03
NEW BAGGAGE LAW
HAS SAD FIRST DAY
Confusion Not Great. but Will
Multiply When Vacation
Rush Comes.
MANY INCONVENIENCE

The Cunmins amendment 20 the rate
act. under which, as interpreted by tho
Interstate Commerce Commission. inter-
state railway passengers have to de-
clare tho value of their baggage. went
into effect yesterday. The first days
operation of the new law resulted In
no great confusion since 1t came early
rush In still some weeks off. But what
little difficulty there was gave an inklins
OF what awaits travcllers-now classed
as 'shippers"-and baggage men when
the days warm up and everybody de-
cides at the same time to 20 somow here.
Taking for granted that the general
travelling public would not he informed
on the new law-an assumption which
the lays events entirely justlfied-the
baggage room STATS of the Grand Cen.
trail. Pennsylvania and other stations
In and about New York took the initia-
tive on the opening day and led travel
lers through the mysteries of the new
regulations.
When the tourist appeared at tho
baggage window n blank form was
handed him. the fact that such a law
had gone into effect was explained and
he was asked the value OF his baggage.
II also was explained that for every
500 worth or fraction thereof over tho
first 500 the shipper would have to
pay 10 cents insurance under the act
Some travellers made lightning cal
culations OF the number OF tickets they
held multiplied by 500 and quickly
wrote down the result, or so 1t struck
the baggage men. seemingly not giving
overmuch thought TO the penal provi-
sions OF the law. Others. more consci-
e%ntious. dehberated on the actual values
Of their belongings and sighed when
told that there was a considerable ex-
cess fare to pay. When one OF the latter
class came to the station late there was
a mighty hubbub for a few moments
while no, tried to remember what such
and such a thing had cost and at the
same time catch a train which was only
awaiting the fall of Its conductors ham
In the case OF the New York Central
and New Haven lines Westcott's Express,
which handles their transfer business,
supplied is drivers with declaration
blanks yesterday and the TRAVELLED
made his declaration to the driver be-
fore leaving home. paying the excess
70 the driver, who turned over the money
with the declaration to the station bag
gage room. TIL New York Transfer
Company. handling the Pennsylvania
baggage business. made a similar ar
rangement for the convenience OF irs
patrons, but did not collect the excess
Insurance" the baggage being shipped
&. q. n.
The hardest hit of all travellers by
the new measure are the professional
travelling men. particularly jewelrv
statesmen. The new law establishes q
maximum OF liability OF $4,000 for bag
rage carried on any one ticket. II IL
no uncommo thing for a tewelry sales
man TO travel with $4,000. 10000 or
even 100000 worth OF samples, which
hitherto he has checked as baggage
In fact this is the only way permitted
him by tho jewellers insurance. which
provides that the salesman must always
travel with the trunk
one railroad man " has been In
Constan, conferences with his fellows oi
other roads IN the past few days re-
carding the new law was far from op-
t!m'sc!c yesterday.
THE railroads will do all they car
70 make compliance with the law easy
for the passenger" he said. but II
there IL inconvenience, please donS
blame the railroads"