Evening journal., 1915-06-26
Value Of SHIPMENTS
|. FIX EXPRESS RATES
Complying With Act, Com
panieS Now Use New
Forms
MUST STATE THE
EXACT WORTH

Proceeding under a recent improved
amendment to the Interstate Com
merce act. express companies doing
business in Wilmington began the use
of new forms required by law yes
terday. AS a result of the amend
ment, which confers increased liza
bility on the express companies for
goods lost, destroyed or damaged IN
transit, a new uniform receipt has
been adopted by all companies doing
business in the United States.
In all cases shippers must declare.
over their own signatures or oyer
those of their agents. the value of the
articles shipped by them. Where the
value of packages does not exceed $50
shippers may declare the actual value
by a notation reading mot exceeding
$50" or by a notation setting forth
mot exceeding $50 or so cents per
pound actual weight" in cases OF
shipments OF 100 pounds or more the
actual value must be specifically
stated in writing by the shipper, and
excess charges for such greater value
must be paid therefor under the traf-
ifs published by the express compa-
nies required nv law.
! The amendment ~ .he int state
commerce. act actually hecamc atec-
tive June 9. bit ,wihg 20 the inability
OF the exp 'ess companies to provide
the req ir-d forms. makesliiis had to
be resortsd 20 10 comply with the
/ law. In some cities the new uniform
receipts have been in use for some
days, but it was found impossible for
the Adams and American Express
Companies to put the new forms in
use in Wilmington until yesterday.
/ Shippers who have receipt books in
use may continue to use them, but
must paste copies OF the new shipping
contracts IN the old books and must
sign declarations of value.
I The signing Of declarations as, TO
the value Of shipments is obligatory
on the part OF consignors. Should
shippers refuse 10 sign declarations
of value employees of the express
companies must refuse the shipments.
Spaces are provided in the new uni
form receipts for the necessary dec
llaratiOns of value and the signatures
of shippers. In cases where C. Q. d.
packages are sent. the amount of the
lC. o. ID. or an invoice accompanying
the shipment will no longer he ac-
cepted as a declaration Of value Such
shipments must be declared as 70
their value just as others are.
Under the new regulations the ship.
per cannot lawfully ship at 'releas.
ed" rates by declaring a value less
than the actual value; declaration o
THE actual value being a necessity. II
1.-THE event shipper refuses to declar
THE actual value. or declares a valu
which the agent or employe Of an ex
! press company receiptinr for III
! shipment knows to be less than tn
actual value. the shipment must b
refused
In the event Of third class matte
: the true value of which must not ex
ceed $40 the shipper must note o.
/ the receipt and the package "Valu
not exceeding SO"
The new regulations have resulte
i'm the issuance of new live stoc
contracts by the express companies
Above certain values the express com
panies make additional charges. Thu
to secure the shipment of horses O
mules at the minimum rate the valu
per animal must not exceed s100 TIL
value allowed at the minimum rat