The evening Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1918-1920, 1919-06-13
FOR BETTER SERVICE
American Express Co. Starts Another
Educational Campaign Says
Agent Worthen

A second educational campaign to
bring the public into close touch with
the internal operations of the express
business is being conducted by the
local express forces, according to a
statement made last night by Agen:
Worthen. The new effort, which is
being directed chiefly at the employees
of the American Railways Express
Co., is called the making Good with
the Public" drive, and the meetings
held thus far have been widely at,
tended by the expressmen. The Bet
ter Service Campain will conclude
with rally on June 9th.
The marked success of the initial
campaign to secure better packing
and better marking of express ship
ments, few months ago, led the ex-
press officials to probe deeper onto
the causes of inefficient operations,
due in part to lack of intimate know
ledge with the rules and regulations
governing the handling of express
matter.
One of the striking results of the
better and better marking movement,
it is now announced, is the great re,
duction in the number of mo mark'
shipments left on the express COM
pany's hands each month, without any
means of identification.
Before an effort to improve con-
6itinnc x1roc M ode E00 ~ 4l,ooo 49,,
deliverable packages were each
month sent to the various "No Mark
Bureaus" in different parts of the
country. This monthly average has
been gradually reduced until the
April figures show only 1912 maj
GRITTY of these were identified and
sent to their proper destinations.
This represents very small propor>
ton of the 300,000,000 shipments
handled annually. A marked reduc-
ton in the number of claims present.
ed for loss or mishandled shipments
is also noticeable.
The willingness Of the shipping
public to meet the Express Company
half way in this matter, Agent Wor-
then said yesterday, has led the
Company to give attention tc other
subjects needing Improvement. AS a !
result of the public cooperation, the
slogan Making Good with Public"
has been adopted for the concluding
meetings of the drive.
Get together meetings of express
men in every city and town in the
country, served by railroad, are be-
ing held simultaneously with the
local gatherings. Specially prepared
"Shop Talks" dealing with various
subjects of Importance to efficient
express operation, having been read
to the men and formed the topics of
for general discussion Agent Wor-
then is much gratified with the inter-
est and enthusiasm shown by the
local forces in the drive.
The local express people are trying
to get the cooperation of shippers in
this city in these matters, particular
ly so far as making out express re-
ceipts correctly is concerned. Many
business men using express service
extensively prepare their own receipt
it is pointed out, and are liable to en-
counter complications in presenting
claims for loss or damage shipments,
if such receipts are not made out ac-
cording to authorized express rules.
The opening meetings last week, |
were adopted to a discussion of how
receipts should be made out to make
them accurate, while legible waybills,
accurate weights and proper labels
were also taken up. One important
object Of the Second Drive is to
prevent rough handling of shipments
in Offices and terminals, and this sub
ject was considered from every point
of view.
The local committeeman emphasize
ed the Importance of careful handling
of shipments from the moment of
their receipt by the Express Com
pany in good condition from the
shippers, to their delivery at destina-
ton. Other subjects treated included
the correct methods for handling
perishable goods, how the C. o. D.
service can be expedited, the particu-
lar steps which should be taken to
protect merchandise of exceptional
value, and the proper handling of all
the miscellaneous commodities travel
ing by express.