28 BULLETIN NO. 770, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
by each contributor to the enterprise. It is realized that competitive 
influences might offer obstacles to the plan indicated, but the operation 
of such a terminal as the one herein described could be made independ- 
ent of ordinary competitive factors. 
If the motor truck as a freight or express carrier is to compete 
successfully with other carriers who have occupied the field for a 
longer time, the business must be organized on a basis which will com- 
pare favorably with the business of older and better established car- 
riers. Central terminal facilities are just as necessary for motor routes 
as for other common carriers. 
BUSINESS ARRANGEMENTS FOR STABILIZING THE BUSINESS OF 
THE RURAL MOTOR OPERATOR. 
Mention has previously been made of, desirable business features 
which should be incorporated in the practices of all rural truck 
operators. Among those mentioned were the determination of fair” 
rate bases, the keeping of adequate cost and operating records, and the 
maintenance of dependable schedules. It is desired, in this connection, 
to direct attention to additional features which, if incorporated in the 
business of the rural motor operator, probably would do more to 
place the industry on a par with rail carriers than would any other ~ 
changes which could be made. Reference is made to the use of a 
Standard Bill of Lading and the adoption of adequate insurance 
coverage. : 
THE STANDARD BILL OF LADING. 
A satisfactory bill of lading should bind the operator to the obliga- 
tions of a common carrier and should set forth the extent of his 
liability very clearly. It should be designed so as to permit the trans- 
fer of goods from one carrier to another. In addition to the features 
of the ordinary railroad bill of lading, it should include some of the 
features of the invoice and the expense bill so as to obviate the need 
for a large number of forms for a relatively small business. The 
accompanying form for a Standard Bill of Lading is offered as a 
suggestion to operators who desire to standardize their shipping docu- 
ments. It will be noted that it is modeled, in a general way, on the 
ordinary “Uniform Bill of Lading,’ used by the railroads. Certain 
important changes have been made, however, to conform to the needs 
of the motor transportation business. The form contains certain 
items not ordinarily incorporated in the regular bill of lading, such as 
statements of value and shipping charges. While these are nota part 
of the ordinary bill of lading, it seems best to refer to the specimen 
document as a bill of lading, although it also includes the essentials of 
the invoice and the expense bill. It should be remembered that laws 
governing the business of common carriers vary in different States and 
in some cases it may be necessary to modify certain provisions of the 
suggested bill of lading to accord with existing laws. 
