Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1917-02-16

MIR. Editor :-lnfOrmati0n which has come
to me from various sources recently has in
dictated that many stockmen are not aware
OF the fact that the new weights. values
and regulations in regard to the shipment
of breeding animals in less than carload
lots, as laid down by the Interstate Com
merce Commission last July, went into
force December l, 1915. Several instances
have been brought to my attention where
shippers have been charged 1000 pounds
maximum on stations shipped in the Official
Classification territory east of Chicago and
north of the Ohio river. whereas the rating
should have been on 5000 pounds, and in
order that livestock shippers generally may
be Immediately advised of this | hope that
you will give publicity to the following
brief notice:
Breeders east Of Chicago, who have, in
the past, been compelled to pay on an arbi-
trary and unreasonable maximum weight
when shipping animals in less than car
load lots, are particularly requested to take
cosnizance of the fact that the decision of
the Interstate Commerce Commission in
Docket No. 6S25, which case was won by
the National Society of Record Associa-
tons last July. went into force December
l. 1915. Since that time stations can be
shipped at weight of 5000 pounds. in
stead of 1000 ordinary horses at weight
of 1000 pounds. instead Of 5000; bulls
at weight Of 1000 pounds, instead of
5000; mare and colt or COW and calf at
weight of $500 pounds, instead Of $500.
Other weights are scaled down In proper
ton. and inasmuch as information has
come to the National Society of Record
Associations that many agents are, in
violation of law, still compelling shippers
to ship at the old weights. all live stock
breeders are urged to 90 direct to their
agents and call their attention to the fact
that the extremely high weights required
in the shipment Of breeding animals L. C.
L. in the past no longer exist. They are
further requested to ascertain whether the
agents have received proper tariffs from
that most Of the railroads sent instructions
to their agents in supplement No. IA to
the Official Classification tariff No. 43, but
many AGENTS evidently did not familiarize
themselves with the rulings laid down in
the supplement. The new schedule of
weights, basic values and increase in
weight where animals are shipped at higher
valuations, appear in Official Classification
tariff No. A. which becomes effective Feb
ruary I, 1917, and all shippers are urgently
requested to see that their agents at local
shipping stations are properly acquainted
with the rulings in regard to the shipment
of live stock in less than carload lots.
Amy shippers who were compelled to
pay at the higher weights since December
1, 1915, can recover claims against the rail-
road companies without difficulty by merely
presenting the facts and calling the atten-
ton of the agent to instructions laid dow
in supplement No. IA to Official Classiflca-
zion tariff No. 43.
The attention Of all livestock breed
ers in all parts Of the United States is
further particularly called to the fact that
the furnishing Of attendants with ship
ments L. C. l.. is now left with the ship
per, and no railroad has the authority to
require an attendant with shipments Of
live stock in less than carloads lots. as
this matter is left entirely to the discre-
ton Of the shipper.
The attention Of all shippers in all parts
Of the United States is further called to
the fact that animals may be shipped
at their true values in the case OF valu-
able breeding animals by the payment of
a very slight increase in rates. t0-wit. an
increase of per cent in rate for each 100
over the basic values fixed in the tariffs.
which are on file in each railroad station.
This is a matter Of direct Importance to
every livestock breeder. shipping breeding
animals in less than carload lots. and
shall be glad to have specific information
from any shippers whose local AGENTS are
not complying with the new regulations.
rules and practices as laid down by the
Interstate Commerce Commission In Docket
No. 1925.
Attention is further called to the fact
that any railroad company whose agent
violates the rulings laid down In Docket
No. 6825 is subject to a fine Of $4,000
for each and every offense. and while 1t is
not likely that prosecution will be necessary
to require the railroads to comply with
the order Of the Interstate Commerce Com
mission. II may be wise to call the atten-
ton Of local agents to this in cases where
the agents seem negligent in informing
themselves in regard TO the new regula-
tons governing l.. C. L. shipments Of live
stock.
earnestly hope that your paper and all
others in the United States will give wide
publicity to the above notice. as II means
a GREAT deal TO our livestock breeders In
specific instance. which has recently been
brought to my attention. the shipping bill
on a stallion was reduced from $3l to
about $l3. and the shipper was promptly
reimbursed for the excess freight charges
which he had been required to pay by
reason Of the ignorance Of the agent in
regard TO the new rulings
Very truly yours.
WAYNE DINSMORE.