The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-02-01
U. s. ExPRESSMEN
START CAMPAIGN
FOR EFFICIENCY
Better Service Committee APP
pointed From Richmond
Express Company Employees

The nationwide campaign inaugur-
ated by the American Railway Ex-
press company to bring about better
methods Of packing and marking ex-
press shipments, began today with the
first Of series Of meetings Of express
employees to be held In this city dur
ing the month of the drive. At con-
venient periods throughout the day,
Agent H. B. Lee called together
groups Of his co-workers and urged
them to put their full force behind the
comprehensive campaign now under
way and to work with shippers in
accomplishing decisive results in bet
tering the express service.
Vehicle men, depot platform and
claim bureau and office employees were
each addressed by the agent or his
-Four Minute Men," who made stir.
ring appeals for their active co-opera-
ton and keen interest in the drive.
The speakers told the express work
ers, that they, individually and collec-
lively. could give valuable aid in the
campaign by bringing their work up to
the highest standards.
There is room for improvement
everywhere, they stated. Owing to
conditions brought about the war, they
admitted the express service had not
been as good as the company had ex.
pected to make 1t. But with these
obstacles removed and every express
man doing his part, the way has been
cleared for very marked change for
the better.
In urging the men to seek the CO.
operation Of shippers in the drive, the
agent brought to the attention of the
drivers the necessity of giving them
all the aid possible in bringing their
packing and marking methods up to
the required standard. 1t was &C
knowledged that the manner of pack
ing and marking varies with the COM
modities, but the question Of whether
shipment Is in condition for hand
ling to destination safely must be left
to the good judgment Of the driver,
who have been thoroughly instructed
on the rules and regulations.
To Watch Packing Problem.
After the -Four Minute" speeches,
Agent H. B. Lee announced the ap-
pointment of Better Service Cam.
paign committee, made up Of the fol-
lowing:
Main Office. C. Rife, Chas. Tay-
Tor, G. T. Brunton, Mabel Geier, Irene
Reed, Ruth Haler
WdSOu MEN - Leslie COX, FRANK
Thomas. Karl Holiday, Chester Har-
ness. Horace Vaughn, Horace Burns,
w. II. Williams.
Day Depot-H. c. Knopf, c.. e. Stone
cipher. T. T. Trobaugh, G. C. Nelson,
c. r. Coppock. VIM. F. Killing.
Night Depot. G.. McConkey, J. A.
Arnold, John Burns, J. c. Franks, o. R.
Elliott, c. Holtcamp, ]. H. Neill.
He requested the men selected to
keep watch on the conditions Of bust
ness as it passed through the termin-
ais and to call personally on shippers
whose consignments needed attention.
One OF the most serious problems
that the express company has to face
is that Of mo Mark" express matter.
the agent stated. These are shipments
which, because of their inadequate
packing or marking, lose all trace OF
identification, either Of the shipper or
the consignee, and must be sent to
mo Mark Bureaus" where effort is
made to put them back on the right
track. The use of tags was discour-
aged, except where absolutely neces-
sary. and then two should be added.
The present campaign is regarded
as one of the most significant and i'm
portant steps taken by transporta-
ton agency for the betterment of it's
service. The local meetings here were
held simultaneously with similar gath
erings of express employees in every
city and town in the country. A sec
Ond meeting of the series will be held
next week and other topics Of pertin-
ent interest to the campoign will be
taken IN