New-York tribune., 1921-10-23
insurance Plan
To Aid Shipping
Given to Board
Wade Robinson Offers Way
to Stop Discrimination
Against u. S. Craft and
X e duce Theft Losses
Risk Bureau Is Outlined
Marine Authorities Urged
TO Assist in Making
Uniform Bill of Lading


sent to foreign countries by rail and
water, lower insurance rates and elm
nation of the present discrimination
against Shipping Board vessels ore the
chief purposes of plan which has been
drafted by Wade Robinson, an insur-
;nce underwater of New York. An
outline of the proposed system has
heen sent TO Commissioners Meyer
l4issner and DR.. S. S. Huebner, of the
Shipping Board. and to Representative
George W. Edhonds, member of the
House Merchant Marine Committee
and chairman of the subcommittee on
insurance matters.
The general principle of the plan, it
is understood, has received the ap-
proval Of DR.. Huebner and Mr.. Ed
monds, and will receive further con-
sideration later.
Mr.. Robinson suggests dual bills Of
lading, optional with the shipper, which
will give complete protection to ship
lnents against loss from theft, pilfer-
age, damage and other risks on rail or
water carriers. The first of these
would be q uniform bill of ,ading such
commerce Commission, the one now
>in use by the steamship lines, or the
form outlined in the Hague rules on
The second would be an in
surance provisiolI attached to the frs.,
.ssiving comprehensive protection.
= 1t is the contention of Mr.. Robinson
that the existing situation must be
changed radically If American ship
cpers, steamship companies and insur
~nnce underwriters are to prosper. He
said to Tribune representative that
~.nnder the amended Harter act the bill
sof lading offered to exporters by the
.5ship lines affords limited protection,
usually not more than 500 package,
-, nd contains a provision that claim
~aor damage must be filed within short
.ii.4e 70 De effective. This also, he
said, covers only the trip by water and
does not give protection for the
shipper at all points of transporta-
sion.
- Asks Central Risk Bureau
AS a remedy for this difficulty MIR.
Robinson proposes g central insurance
bureau, composed of American COM
spanies, which will giver cover against
all possible losses. To make the plan
effective he would have set of strin-
-gent rules. to be observed by shippers,
:. he railroads and the steamship COM
~panies, to reduce breakage, theft and
other risks.
Such plan, in his opinion, would de-
crease losses and result in lower in
~surance rates for shippers, would in
ncrease the amount of freight sent by
American steamship companies, and
would give the underwriting companies
"a greater volume OF business. The
Shipping Board, it is said, would bene-
fit through the better market it would
provide for the government ships.
necessary for the Shipping Board to
lake the initiative in putting the plan
elnto operation, in order to get the CO.
operation of the shippers, steamship
Lines and the insurance companies
: 1t is pointed out that to meet a
somewhat similar situation with regard
= to insurance on the hulls Of vessels
j the Shipping Board and the House Mer-
'~chant Marine Committee succeeded in
establishing the American marine in
..ssurance syndicates. Mr.. Robinson says
that the same thing should be done
ssfor cargoes on ships under the United
States flag. AS owner of four-ffths
Of the occan-going tonnage under
American registry, it is stated, the
s~board should be most interested in
the plan.
In an outline Of the system Mr.. Rob-
- inson says that It's purpose is to i'm
prove shipping and marine insurance
conditions through the elimination, as
sa Tar & possible, of losses and damages
e.arising through human agencies, and
thus procure:
~ Safe and sound outturn of Ameri-
e can merchandise, particularly If shipped
In American vessels.
~ Provides for American insurance
companies an increased volume of busi-
mess rendered improved and insurable
sat less cost through the elimination
sss.of hazards.
* Provides a plan, which, while ac-
esscomplishing the first two purposes, will
also establish American marine in
-surance companies in a dominating
position in their own business in their
own country, and
~ Also aid in removing the stigma and
handicaps now attaching to Shipping
Board vessels through voluntary and
Involuntary propaganda and excess
rates Of premium charged for insur-
fsAnce on shipments made by Shipping
!. !. BOARD vessels
- The plan involves an optional sys-
tenn called dual bill of Iading system
~ This provides two forms Of bill of
sslading, for convenience designated
...tgForm and Form 2. Form 1 will be
that which is now in general use. Form
- ADVERTTCENyEvNT