Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1920-12-30
SHIPPERS sHcs o-oPERArE
Interesting Facts Set Forth Which,
If Needed, VIII Benefit All
Those Concerned,

| Otto WHITAKER, former county
auditor and later member of the leg
| islature from this county, was in the
city Tuesday looking after business
matters. He is at present employed
| in the Prevent Claim department of
| the Rock Island railroad, with head
| quarters in Des Moines. While here
he handed us a copy of the Stratton
| (Colo.) Press which contained an
article written by the agent at that
place, and sets forth some facts of
! interest to the shipper and public in
general. The article is as follows:
THE prevention of loss and dam
| age of freight shipments Is a problem
which concerns both the public and
the railroads. The public who are
the shippers and receivers of freight
and the railway companies, who. as
carriers, must pay the claims. The
fewer the claims the more satisfac-
tion to the public and the more rev.
enue to the railroads who monthly
pay thousands of dollars in loss and
| damage claims.
1.-THE Rock Island railway has in
operation an organized campaign to
prevent claims, known as the Pre-
vent Claims movement. 1t is the
duty of every employe to report to
his division superintendent any ir-
regularity in the packing, marking or
handling of freight, that he handle
with the shipper or party at fault
with view of preventing claims. AS
a member of the committee on this
division the writer feels it his duty
to offer few suggestions to the
shipping public, that, if followed out,
will greatly aid in preventing claims.
Certain requirements of the inter-
state Commerce Commission must be
complied with by the shipper before
freight is in condition to be received
for shipment by the railway. will
discuss them briefly as follows:
"Packing-Pack freight in good,
strong container. Shipments of glass
and other fragile articles with straw,
/ excelsior, etc., to minimize chances
for breakage. Mark package plainly
as to contents; don't use second
hand pasteboard containers. Don't
put heavy articles in lightweight
containers, and don't make packages
heavier than can be handled to adj
vantage in transit. If requirements
as to packing are not understood, ask
the local agent before you attempt
to prepare the goods for shipment.
"Marking-All packages should be
plainly marked. The name of the
firm or person to whom consigned,
and the destination, also, with your
name and address as shipper; so If
the name of the consignee should be-
come erased, disposition of the pack
age can be secured from the shippers.
Mark name of contents, so it can be
handled in transit to the best adj
vantage, as perishable freight can be
kept from overheating or freezing by
being placed in proper cars.
I'm all cases possible, use marking
brush or stencil, and If necessary TO
use tags, see that they are of strong
material; write the address in INK,
and attach them with strong cord or
wire; IL tackled 20 box, use not less
than five tacks to each tag.
"In using secondhand containers
be careful to erase or deface all old
marks. Watch this feature particu-
larly on returned shipment
Now, just few words to receivers
of freight. Remove freight promptly
from the depot and when you get it,
see IudI same Is carefully CHeCheu 10
you. This is to your advantage as
well as to the railroad.
"If damaged, make your claim as
quickly as possible and be in a posi-
ton to furnish proper documents in
support of claim. This will enable
the carriers to make prompt settle
ment and save correspondence and
delay.
"The necessary papers to be pre-
scented with loss and damage claim
are:
II. Original paid freight bill with
notation as to shortage or damage as
noted by Agent.
20. Original bill of lading or bond
in lieu thereof.
"3. Original invoice, or certified
copy.
"a. Claimants statement, itemiz-
ed, showing how claim figures are
arrived at"
w. w. Vinegar, Local Agt.
c., r. I. & P. Ry.