The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-08-25
CONTAINER FIGHT
LOST BY SHIPPERS
Say Express Company Ruling
Will Cost Consumers ST.
100000 Yearly.

Efforts OF various trade organizations
in the wearing apparel and kindred lines
to defeat the psan Of the American Rail-
way Express Company to require ship
pers to change the system of packing
their merchandise by introducing out
side containers of different weights In
accordance with the weights OF the
packages of goods have been unsuccess-
full. The express company contends that
the pilferage from boxes In transit,
which now runs into millions a year,
will be reduced to a minimum II the
containers are of heavier weight.
Although this argument was fatty
contradicted by the organizations OF
shippers who pointed out to the Rail-
road Administration and officials of the
Interstate Commerce Commission some
time ago that in their opinion the pill
ferage and other losses were brought
about not by the improper use of con-
tainers but by "ineficient railroad ex-
press employees" The Railroad Ad-
ministration has turned deaf ears to the
appeals of the shippers and the new reg
ulations will go into effect three months
hence.
According to representatives Of the
Il ade bodies shippers of merchandise in
New York city alone will be affected to
the extent of 100000 additional ex-
pense yearly as a result Of the new reg
ulations.
NJ Mosessohn, executive director of
the United Waist League of America,
who went to Washington as a represen-
tative Of the trade organizations to ap-
peal to officials, declares that the action
taken by the Railroad Administration
will result In additional cost Of shipping
and packing. which will have to be
added to the cost OF the merchandise
bought by the consumer and every one
in the United States will be penalized
because the express company, instead OF
lettering its service. takes the easiest
way OF protecting its own interests at
the expense OF the consuming public
THE Railroad Administration claims
that 1t has put this subject up to every
State Railroad Commission. and because
the latter have fled no objections and a
few have even approved the changes
the administration feels that 1t should
also indorse the request of the express
| company. This of course is a fallacy
Of a most material character. .
IF the Railroad Administration would
Of Its own accord make tests of the Diff
ferent weights Of corrugated boxes and
| ship the same to various parts of the
country in order to directly ascertain
the carrying ability of the packages,
then would 1t intelligently determine the
| character Of packing necessities"
Raw SILK Quotations From Japan.
That the Government is considering
| seriously plan to secure daily quota
| lions of the raw silk market in Yoko-
hama for the benefit Of raw silk deal
ers in this country Is indicated by In
formation received by the Silk Associa-
| ton Of America
| The Bureau Of Foreign and Domes-
tice Commerce has inquired of the as
sociation's headquarters In this city as
to the degree of interest raw silk mer
J chants In this country would take In the
proposal The association has agreed
to cooperate IL the work Is undertaken
but 1t Is pointed out that the informa-
| ton must be OF an absolutely reliable
nature.