Description of contents RULE IV. (a) Contents of all packages, as near as practi- Less than marked. or Shipments in paste- (b) All less than carload shipments must bear (c) Property presented to carriers, packed in NOTE-In Computing the rate to be charged RULE V. (a) Agents at points of shipment will take care Examination of contents of packages tion of prop to assure themselves that contents of packages are actually what they purport to be; if they have and applicareason to suspect that an attempt is being made er classi to deceive the carrier, or avoid proper classifica- fication. tion, they will require an examination of contents, or other sufficient evidence that they are correctly described, before or after receipting for same. Should freight be incorrectly described, and escape detection at shipping point, if the real character of the goods is discovered before delivery to consignee or to connecting road, charges will be collected according to proper classification. In case of loss or damage, owner will be paid for articles as called for by receipt or bill of lading given at the time of shipment. charges. (b) Prepayment of freight charges must not be Prepayment accepted at the receiving station upon any ship of freight ment, unless the agent is satisfied that the article upon which the prepayment is tendered is correctly described in the shipping receipt. Extract from Section 10 of the Act to Regulate Underbilling Commerce: "Any person and any officer or agent of any corporation or company, who shall delivery property for transportation to any common carrier, subject to the provisions of this act, or for whom as consignor or consignee, any such carrier shall transport property, who shall knowingly and wilfully, by false billing, false classification, false weighing, false representation of the contents of the package, or false report of weight, or by any other device or means, whether with or without and false classification. the consent or connivance of the carrier, its agent or agents, obtain transportation for such prop erty at less than the regular rates then established and in force on the line of transportation, shall be deemed guilty of fraud, which is hereby declared to be a misdemeanor, and shall, upon conviction thereof in any court of the United States of competent jurisdiction within the district in which such offense was committed, be subject for each offense to a fine of not exceeding five thous and dollars or imprisonment in the penitentiary for a term of not exceeding two years, or both, in the discretion of the court." Limitation of liability RULE VI. Where the classification provides for a reduced rate, based on a certain fixed valuation, the folwhere valua- lowing special release, containing the agreed valuation, must be written and signed by the shipper or owner upon the face of the bill of lading or shipping receipt : tion is stipulated. Minimum charge on single shipments. .... "It is hereby agreed that the property herein designated is of the value of and the rate of freight charged thereon is based on such agreed valuation, and on the condition that the carrier assumes liability only to the extent of such agreed valuation and no further." RULE VII. *Unless a higher minimum is specified in published tariffs, the minimum charge on a single shipment of one class, classified first-class or low er, shall be for 50 pounds at the class or commodity rate to which it belongs; but if classified higher than first-class, the minimum charge shall be for 50 pounds at the first-class rate. If the shipment contains articles in two or more classes, none of which is classified higher than first-class, the minimum charge shall be for 50 pounds of the article taking the highest rate; but if any one of the articles is classified higher than first-class, the minimum charge shall be for 50 pounds at the first-class rate. In no case shall the charge on a single shipment be less than 25 cents. To or from local points, the minimum through charge shall be made by adding the minimum charge of the local line to the minimum charge to or from the junction point at which the shipment is received from, or delivered to, the local line. RULĖ VIII. No charges shall be advanced on shipments of Advance fered for transportation except the following, charges. which must be identified by established tariffs or proper receipts, evidencing their correctness and legitimacy: Proportions of connecting lines offering ship ments. Bridge tolls. Actual transfers. Icing charges on meats, fruits or other perishable property. Feed charges on live stock. Separate charge to be made on each separate consign ment. Packages containing articles of more than one class. RULE IX. On shipments consisting of more than one consignment, whether from one shipper to two or more consignees, or from two or more shippers to one consignee, charge for each consignment as a separate shipment. RULE X. The rate for the highest classed article must be charged on any package containing articles of more than one class. RULE XI. Articles of less value or other (a) Any shipment, which, in the judgment of than freight the forwarding agent, would not bring at forced sale, the amount of the freight charges at destinabe prepaid ortion, must be prepaid, or charges guaranteed. guaranteed. charges to Guarantee of charges. Liability for guarantee. (b) Articles on which prepayment is required may, on approval of the General Freight Department of the road on which the freight originates, be forwarded on the guarantee of the shipper that freight and charges will be paid at destination. Full explanation to be made on way-bills or manifests and transfer slips. (c) When charges are not paid at destination on freight forwarded under guarantee, as provid ed in sections a and b of this rule, each road shall look to its immediate connection for reimbursement, the initial company being finally liable for guarantee. Request for protection of guarantee must be made within six months from date of shipment, otherwise initial carriers will be relieved from liability under same. |