The courier-index., 1919-02-14

damaged shipments. It is source of dissatisfaction and annoyance to both shippers and the carrier and tends to impair the express service. It is expected that all who ship by express, and 300.00O.000 shipments are annually travelling that way, will be keenly interested in the forth com ing drive, because it so intimately concerns the transportation end Of many different trades and industries some of which depend almost eXclu- sively upon the express service.
 Regarding the condition which led to a decision for a national drive of this character. an express official made this statement today. Tt IS an acknowledged fact that the aver age American business man regards a satisfied customer as a direct as set to his business. He would do nothing that might jeopardize ms good relations with that customer But if the goods he sent she custom CT arrive in bad order, if the con tents are damaged or pilfered be csu.e they were exposed during the journey. or if, may be, entire ship ments are lost because Of inadequate marking or insecure pac.dng. the GUS tomer may not wait Iong for expla- nations hut place his business else where.
 .Jn such a case the payment Of the claim by the express company noes not remedy the evil or serve to en- courage more business. It IS a cost lv and unnecessary waste and both the shipper and the consignee are disgruntled, while the express com many itself is faced with the neces- sity of practically buying in the goods A general dissatisfaction with thu .ryice is inevitable-and no one IS the gainer
 eve believe there is remedy for this evil in the fact that the loss or or damage to shipments can in many cases be attributed to the unsafe condition in which it is turned over to the express company to handle. Experience has shown that ship ment started right seldom goes wrong Starting right means simply that 1t has been securely wrapped and pack ed that it can stand up for itself ana is plainly and properly marked, not only with the name and address of the consignee, but with those also of the shipper. The use of a poor qual- ity of paper or twine or inattention to the condition of shipments turned over to the express service is some thing which we are trying to discour. age But nothing is more essential that the cooperation of shippers, and as they are keenly concerned in the matter. we are hopeful of getting them to help us"
 The Better Packing Better Mark ing" campaign will be conducted al a neriod of the year when the ex press movement is usually the nght est and just before the heavy com modify business sialts to move III at the door of the shipper. The ex press company officials are free tc admit their own shortcomings and do not evade responsibility for them During the campaign there will be an energetic endeavor to prevent rough handling, mis routing or other devia lions from correct express methods III offices and terminals. and closer sup eryision of the work of employees IS expected to improve internal operat ing conditions.
 On February II, the day after the official opening of the drive, every agent at all important points, will call different classes of his employees together at convenient periods anc address them, urging their active par ticipation in the campaign. first by improving conditions inside the ranks and then by securing the cooperation of the shipping public with whom they come in contact. Similar meet ings will he called on every Tuesday