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class is recognized. Such special or commodity rates are granted for the movement of particular commodities between given points.

A peculiarity of the express business for some time past has been their so-called " graduated scale of charges," which is used in computing the express rates on all merchandise not otherwise provided for. The scale now used by all important express concerns is given in their Official Express Classification. It is a table which shows the actual rate between any two points when the rate per hundred pounds of merchandise is known. The agent turns to the proper express tariff to find the rate per hundred pounds on a given shipment between two points; and then, after weighing the merchandise, he turns to the scale of graduated charges. The horizontal column at the top indicates various rates per hundred pounds, while the vertical column at the left indicates various weights, and the intersection. of the proper columns shows the actual rate for any weight less than 100 pounds for any distance.

A difference is made between shipments of seven pounds or less and those of greater weight, largely because of the competition of the United States Post Office, which carries weights of four pounds. Packages of seven pounds or less,3 when carried by more than one company between points where joint tariffs are not in effect, are graduated but once, while larger packages under similar circumstances are graduated once for each company, unless otherwise authorized in a joint tariff. However, in case of shipments classi

1 Maricopa County Commercial Club vs. Wells, Fargo and Co., XVI I. C. C. Reps., 182 (1909).

2 Boise Commercial Club vs. Adams Express Co. et al., XVII I. C. C. Reps., 116 (1909); Kindel vs. Adams Express Co. et al., XIII I. C. C. Reps., 475 (1908).

Rule 8 (b) and (c).

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fied at higher than merchandise rates, the rate found in the graduated scale is multiplied by the number indicated. And in case the merchandise rate is $2 or more per hundred pounds, "pound rates" are charged on shipments weighing over fifty pounds; when the merchandise rate is $15 or more per hundred pounds, pound rates are charged on shipments weighing over twenty pounds; when it is over $20 per hundred pounds, pound rates are charged for all weights, but the minimum charge is fifty cents. Pound rates are found by multiplying the number of pounds by the rate per hundred pounds and dividing by 100. If two or more packages are forwarded by the shipper at the same time to one consignee at one local address, weights may be aggregated," provided that each package is given a minimum weight of twenty pounds and that a lower rate results from such aggregation.

"

The classification provides a special valuation charge 3 on merchandise valued at over $50 for shipments of 100 pounds or less, or on merchandise valued at over fifty cents per pound for shipments of over 100 pounds. If the declared value exceeds this, the following extra charges are made: When the merchandise rate is $3 or less per hundred pounds, ten cents for each $100 excess value or fraction thereof; when it exceeds $3 but is not over $8, the extra charge is fifteen cents for each $100 excess, and when it exceeds $8, the valuation charge is twenty cents for each $100 excess value. Special valuation charges are provided in case of paintings and statuary, animals, birds, and live stock.

After stating various additional rules, the Official Express Classification proceeds to classify all articles accepted

1 Rule 8 (e) and (f).

2 Rule 9 (a).

3 Rule 11(a) to (i).

under merchandise rates. Articles may be classed at merchandise rates, or one and one half, double, three, four, five, etc., times the merchandise rate.

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"General Specials," as previously stated, are certain specified articles, usually of lower grade. Unless Special" or "Commodity Rates" apply, these articles are shipped under the rates of the so-called " Scale N." Pound rates are charged with a minimum of thirty-five cents for one company and twenty-five cents each for two or more, unless the regular graduated merchandise rates are less. "Scale N " in a convenient form provides a table of rates in cents per hundred pounds for these articles.

In addition to this the classification contains various other so-called "scales." Scale J conveniently states the rates per car load of horses or live stock, as based upon the graduated merchandise charges. Scale K similarly gives the scale rates in cents per hundred pounds on ale, beer, and other liquids and ice. Scale L states the rates on crated berries in cents per crate; Scale M, on crated eggs in cents per case of thirty and thirty-six dozen; and Scale O, on live poultry in cents per hundred pounds.

There are various so-called "sections" which provide special rates on certain articles in order to compete with the Post Office. Section D grants a rate of one cent per two ounces and a minimum of ten cents to posters, books, catalogues, seeds, tubers, and forty-four other articles. Section E extends a rate of one cent per ounce and a minimum of fifteen cents on packages of merchandise or samples. All articles under Sections D and E must be packed so that contents may be examined, and charges must be prepaid. Value or amount of C. O. D. dues must not exceed $10 per package, and the value and description of contents must be marked on the package. Various articles, such

as jewelry, silverware, etc., are, however, excepted. These are known as prepay rates, as distinct from collect rates, and in shipments to Boise, Idaho, by the Adams Express Company were declared unlawful in so far as they made a difference in rates based upon time of payment. The Interstate Commerce Commission 1 holds it to be" a fundamental fact that there can be but one lawful rate between two points, and the law takes no cognizance whatever of the distinction made by express companies between prepaid and collect shipments." Scale P states the rates per $1,000 charged for collecting and remitting paid C. O. D.'s and paid collections in amounts of less than $5,000 when payment is made in currency or gold. If the merchandise rate, for instance, is seventy-five cents or under per hundred pounds, the rate is fifty cents per $1,000; if it is $16.50 and not over $17 per hundred pounds, the rate is $8.50 per $1,000.

Scale Q states the express rates on gold coin, Scale R on currency, and Scale S on shipments of currency and gold coin in amounts of less than $1,000. Scale U states the express rate on silver coin in amounts of less than $1,000. On larger amounts of silver coin the rate per $1,000 face value is the same as the merchandise rate per hundred pounds, with a minimum of fifty cents per $1,000.

REFERENCES

Consult references at close of Chapter XLIII, pp. 322-323.

1 Boise Commercial Club vs. Adams Express Co. et al., XVII I. C. C. Reps., 121 (1909).

CHAPTER XLII

EXPRESS TARIFFS AND RATES

Explanation of local and joint merchandise express tariff-Extracts from same-Distance and basing tariff's--Local and joint commodity tariffs-Scale and mileage tariffs-Factors considered in making express rates-Express rates for foreign shipments.

In order to find the rate per hundred pounds of merchandise between two given points the agent turns to the proper express tariff. For shipments between common points local and joint merchandise tariffs, issued by a common agent, are used. Tariff No. 1, for example, applies on merchandise shipped between offices in Section 1 and offices in Section 2. Section 1 comprises common points in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia, while Section 2 comprises those in Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Mississippi, and Wyoming. In shipping from an office in Pennsylvania to one in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, or Ohio the agent ascertains the "rate number "of his office

1 F. G. Airy, "Tariff for Shipments Between Common Points," I. C. C. No. 496, effective Oct. 15, 1909.

2 No. 1a, F. G. Airy's I. C. C. No. 463, effective May 1, 1909.