The sun., 1919-05-04

Later in the day the express driver
appeared for the second time. He had
been directed to get a barrel covered
with burlap, but instead he demanded
trunk. Because there didn't happen to
be trunk around he went off without
the barrel.
At 8 O'Clock that evening the would be
shipper telephoned to the express office
about his diffiuclty In getting rid of the
barrel and the voice OF man, appar-
emily trained to smooth ruffied feelings.
said:
I'm indeed sorry, sir, but It's against
the Governments regulations to accept
any, orders for business or any COM
plants by telephone after p NJ. and
you'll have TO call up again in the
morning. We open at o'clock"
Don't the drivers start out to collect
express packages before A. NJ"
surely, sir was the reply.
But my barrel has 10 go tomorrow.
and how can II get started II I can't
telephone you TO come for 1t before tho
drivers go out?"
sorry, sir" the official smoother said.
Government rules are strict and We
must obey them to the letter. Good by"
Between times, while wrestling with
the problem OF the barrel and the bur-
lap. the shipper was still more dis
, tressed over the puzzle presented by the
dressmaker's form. This contraption
was a skeleton of light steel built on
the lines Of perfectly formed lady. on
which Friend Wife was wont to fit
dresses designed for the latest voter in
the family. The dressmaker's form was
Intended for shipment with the bur-
larped barrel, and interpretations of the
Federal express regulations governing
its shipment. as interpreted by divers
| officials were conflicting
Information was first volunteered that
the darn thing had to be Grated II sent
by express. A carpenter said he would
be ashamed to turn In n bill for tho
Job. The high cost of labor and the
high cost of the commonest kind of
| timber, he explained, would amount to
more than Venus" was worth. That's
what he called her. Venus
The would-be shipper appealed 70 an
official at the Hanson place office for
light.
The rules say n dressmaker's form
should be Grated" the official said, but
there is a proviso which also declares
II may be sent by express IL properly
wrapped in corrugated cardboard"
Cutting Down Claims and business.
| of it might be highly desirable n call
1
Park place. Manhattan.
"a dressmaker's FORM" the agent
there said. has got to be Grated with
wood. or II can't go at all. Orders are
orders and We try TO live up to them"
On the following day after another trip
to the Brooklyn office was made, two
sets of expressmen called within one
hour and one set took the things away,
although one set was sadly in doubts
as to his duties in regard to the I'M
wrapped form.
Several express officials explained
| that the express companies lost $1O,-
100000 last year by the payment OF
claims for goods damaged In transit as
the result OF improper packing. and
something comprehensive had to be
done to cut down the losses. Therefore
tho rules and supplemental orders that
the regulations must be enforced.
Ono official, with a humorous twist,
said there isn't any doubt but that
losses will be reduced for the reason
that amateur shippers will get so dis
couraged that they will not ship at all.
II less things are shipped by ordinary
folks. he said, the express business will
be reduced and Uncle Sans liability for
claims against the express company will
tbe lessened. Perhaps the funny official
waS right after all ..