The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-05-26
RAILROADS ORDER
ALL TRUNKS VALUED
Baggage Checked After June 2
Must Have Price Set on
1t by Owner.
ADOPT INSURANCE PLAN

On and after June . all persons who
check trunks on railroad tickets will be
obliged under the provisions Of the Cum
minis act amending the interstate com
merce laws to declare the value of their
baggage. and the baggage master-a
man OF many troubles-is beginning to
suspect that he Is due for an unusually
unhappy summer. Railway officials are
now working on plans to enable their
subordinates to enforce the provisions OF
the act with the least possible incon-
venience to the travelling public. but
they are not altogether sanguine that
the new regulations will be popular with
tourists and others who will check
trunks when tho rush to the sesshore
n country resorts begins.
The railroads now carry trunks and
other baggage not exceeding $50 pounds
In weight free with tickets Of Transports
tion and assume liability In case OF loss
or damage up to 500. They declare
they cannot assume unlimited liability
as permitted under the Cummins act,
but VIII accept the alternative OF assum-
ing the 800 liability on each piece Of
baggage checked and insuring the pas
senger for all over that amount on a
basis OF ten cents per 800. the rate laid
down by the Interstate Commerce Com
mission.
Traveller 10 Now shipper.
The amendment speaks specifically OF
"~shippers." and although no mention is
made OF passengers checking trunks the
commission has interpreted tho act to
mean that baggage constitutes a ship
mani IN fhA rnAnnnD ~ ~ a. A.
shippers must sign a declaration as TO
the value OF shipments II has been de-
cided that each and every shipper of a
trunk must declare the real value Of its
contents when he has his trunk checked.
Any ono who signs a declaration dis
honestly. a railway official who has
made a close study OF the new law
said yesterday. will be guilty OF a mis-
demeanor. For instance. II a trunk IL
sent as baggage n declared to b.
worth 800 and the trunk goes astray
but turns up later and II Is found that
a 5000 diamond ring Is in the trunk the
owner Is liable to go to Jail. II IL
equally an Hence to overestimate the
value of baggage.
II IL understood thai the railroads
will consent to accept declarations az 10
values from agents OF shippers, which
might he a valet. or butler. or porter.
- seC'nu Cousin, OF anybody VINO helpe
q shipper or passenger to make use OF
the checking privilege. but everybody
has got TO be mighty careful that no
false declarations are made or there is
sure to be trouble for somebody.
Innovation Unpopular.
Railroad officials. whose work will b.
Increased by the new regulations. do
not believe that passengers will be
tickled over the necessity OF taking time
10 70 10 a baggage master and sign a
declaration setting forth the true value
Of the contents OF trunks. M rticulsrly
81 II IL near train time and anothe-
train isn't due for several hours. II
Is expected they will urge the travelling
public to go 10 the station early and
avoid the rush
Just what will happen in the baggage
room OF a crowded city terminal or at {
lively summer resort station when long
lines OF impatient passengers are wait
Ing to declare values is a matter hat
they do not like % contemplate Just
now. II IL comparatively easy to
check a trunk in a hurry. but II will
he more difficult for many passengers
70 make up their minds just what things
are worth. and DELAYS will probably try
temper sorely,
As for the much abused baggage man
hc is hoping for the best.