The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1919-02-14
IT CONCERNS ALL
A Nation Wide Campaign for Better
Packing and Marking of Express
Shipments

Shipments
Plans Of most comprehensive
nature to bring about conditions
which will make possible a marked
improvement IN the express service
throughout the country, are announc-
e by local representative of the
American Railway Express Company.
A Better Service Campaign" will be
undertaken by the $4,000 men and
women employed in the express busi-
ness, for the purpose of raising the
standards of packing, wrapping and
marking express shipments.
The drive started Feb. 10th, in eve
/ ry city and town in the country. 1t
viii comprise campaign of educa
tion and appeal among express eln@
| ployes simultaneously with a wide
spread effort to secure the co-opera-
tion of the shipping public along the
ame lines. No new packing or mark
ing rules have been adopted for the
campaign, but express drivers and re-
ceiving clerks will be instructed
hereafter to insist, firmly but cour-
teously, that the rules already in
force be strictly adhered to.
The chief purpose of the Better
Service Campaign" is to check, once
and for all. the waste of time, effort
and money that result from lost or
damaged shipments. 1t is source of
dissatisfaction and annoyance to both
| shippers and the carrier and tends to
| impair the express service. 1t is ex-
pected that all who ship by express,
and BOO, ,000s 900 shipments are annual
" travelling that way, will be keenly
interested in the Forthcoming drive,
because it so intimately concerns the
transportation end of many different
trades and industries. some of which
depend almost exclusively upon the
express service.
Regarding the conditions which led
to decision for national drive of
this character, an express official
made this statement today: ct is an
acknowledged fact that the average
American business man regards
satisfied customer as a direct asset
to his business. He would do nothing
that might jeopardize his good rela-
tions with that customer. But, if the
| goods be sent the customer arrive In
bad order. if the contents are damag-
ed or pilfered because they were ex-
posed during the journey, or il, may
be, entire shipments are lost because
| Of inadequate marking or insecure
packing, the customer may not wait
/ long for explanations, but place his
business elsewhere.
In such case, the payment of tn.
claim by the express company does
not remedy the evil or serve to en-
courage more business 1t is costly
| shipper and the consignee are disap-
pointed and disgruntled. while the ex-
press company itself is faced with
the necessity of practically buying In
the goods. A general dissatisfaction
with the service is inevitable-and no
one is the gamer.
i I'VE believe that there is a remedy
i for this evil in the fact that the loss
Of or damage to shipments can in
many cases be attributed to the un-
safe condition in which it is turned
over to the express company TO
| handle. Experience has shown that
| shipments started right seldom go
wrong. Starting right means simply
that it has been securely wrapped and
packed, that it can up for itself and is
plainly and properly marked, not only
with the name and address of the
sonsignee, but with those also of the
| shipper. The use of a poor quality
cf paper or twine or inattention to the
condition of shipments turned over to
the cypress service is something which
we are trying to discourage. But
nothing is more essential than the
co-operation of shippers, and as they
are keenly concerned in the matter
we are hopeful of getting them to
: help u.s."
The express company officials are
free to admit their own shortcomings
/. land do not evade responsibility fol
c them. During the campaign, there vii
] be an energetic endeavor to prevent
rough handling, mis-routing or other
deviations from correct express meth.
DDS in offices and terminals, and closer
supervision of the work of employees
: IS expected to improve internal ope
!. rating conditions.
8 Every agent at all important points
{ viii call different classes of his EN-
{ p1oyes together at convenient period,
: and address them. urging their active
,, participation IN the campaign, first bs
improving conditions inside of the
ranks and then by securing the co
operation of the shipping public witt
whom they come In contact. Similar