Evening journal., 1921-04-21
Urge Greater Care In
Packing For Shipments
To AuOid Loss By Theft

pilfering OF goods Intended for or in
transit, has recently prompted con-
sideration Of the subject by trafiic
managements of some Of the largest
corporations. transportation agents,
underwriters and police chiefs OF the
country. A consensus OF opinion
with pertinent suggestions is en-
bodied in an article somewhat In the
nature OF a pronunciamento prepar-
ed by a leading authority on the
subject, following close investigation
and observations. which IL is assert
ed should be studied by all who may
be engaged in shipping In part the
statement says
You are not brought to a true
realization OF the term 'pilfering'
until you have experienced losses Of,
or from, shipments OF merchandise,
under domestic OF export contract
for transportation. and must under
go the annoyances incident to short
age. complaints, presentation OF
claims adjustments Of insurance. II
not loss Of patronage. delayed opera
uons, and may be advance OF under
writer's rates.
1T Is opportune 10 relate that the
railroad administration Of the United
States registered losses from "pilfer-
ing" TO the extent OF t45, 900. 900
during the year 1919. and report
shows that the Marine Underwriters
OF New York City were called upon
To liquidate over $4,000, 900 In losses
for the same year. That period was
the last OF the war and operations
incident to prospective continuance
OF hostilities continued. yet there
was employed an army Of secret op-
orators and guards TO contend
against such depredations. Then
came the armistice. and a cessation
Of war movements, and there follow
ed in 1920 those incidents necessary
TO readjustment Of conditions. gov
crnmental, commercial and social
and assaults on persons and property
became more numerous, and pilfer-
ing did not diminish. according q
reports, losses incurred prompting
renewed efforts on the part OF un'
dcrwriters TO prevent and detect
The many contributing causes, meth.
DDS OF individuals and conspirators
responsibilities under forms OF con
tract, men, material utilized. and
system OF packing and marking en-
ployed at places Of issue, transporta'
tion arrangements to warehouses
freight houses and docks have eaoi
and all been observed, and had con
sderation.
THE conditions as related suggest
ed the importance OF inviting thi
attention Of people. who are engag
ed in producing. packing and ship
ping. and those from whom pur
chases are made. and who are like
wise engaged. 20 the hazards an'
embarrassments that may In grea
measure be eliminated by the adOp
ton Of methods best known to re
lieve any question as to the relia
bility OF packages and cases destin
ed for transportation and shipment
particularly those intended for ex
port
"pilfering may occur at the fac
tory before a case OF goods has start
ed on its way. and the articles in
cluded in the list for packing may b
abstracted from before they ar
placed in pack, or, an unintentions
shortage may make the short lot
Reliable employees 1t IS assure
are selected for the work of pack
ing like those entrusted 10 handl
bank funds. and Il is out OF reaso
that confirming checkings should nc
be had. Checkings and counts
without lists for comparison, wit
lists duplicating and certifying 10 &C
curacy Just before closing. is stronr
ast testimonial. as against any sub
sequent allegation OF shortage at tn
place OF starting. Separated an
Isolated parts Of articles within IN
container and tagging or numberin
and listing Of such designations, In
sertion of the list Of articles in III
centre Of the case. describing hO'
the articles are placed. when and b
whom, and as to the size of the cas'
material by sizes Of which It is mad
how lined all around and sealed,
nailed or screwed tops. sides an
bottoms. and the manner OF bindin
over all by Girard wire. hoop straT
ping. or otherwise, and any staple
pronged strips, safety nails, or spea
shaped nails driven so as TO pas
through a staple at the joints.
"Other means are the placing ,
corrugated steel strips as binders
one piece OF wood TO another on III
interior Of wooden receptacle, III
banding Of wooden casing togeth'
at the angles inside, tying Of all
one package together and sealing n
wire or corded ends as would be III
sealing Of a railroad car. Any sil
gle box or case can be opened wit
pick. chisel or nail drawer, unless
be made OF metal, but, II intact an
substantially bound and sealed ar
made OF wood tongued and groove
heavy in thickness, 10 hold its loa
unopened against a five foot IA
then mutilation, broken interior I
outside bindings, seals broken will
in or without, together with shor
age. would confirm the belief OF l