rate (which is double the merchandise rate). In order to 

 obtain the lowest rate of transportation, the value of each 

 pigeon must be stated b}' the shipper at $5 or less. At one 

 time we bought a lot of fine Homers at $10 a pair and when 

 they arrived we were asked to paj^ a big transportation 

 charge. We discovered on investigation that the shipper, 

 when asked the valuation by his agent, proudly replied (wish- 

 ing to convince us perhaps that he was selling the birds to 

 us at half price) : "Ten dollars apiece." The agent made no 

 argument with the shipper (they seldom do) and accordingly 

 billed the charges to us at a rate just double what he would 

 have billed had the shipper declared the valuation $5 apiece, 

 and we had to pay accordingly for the exhibition of pride 

 made by the shipper. When the agent asks you the valua- 

 tion of the pigeons, get it within the $5 limit, or your man 

 at the other end will have an extra charge and a sharp letter 

 to send back to you. 



We have seen breeders who have been shipping live stock 

 for years and they never heard of the above rule of the ex- 

 press companies, and also we have seen scores of express 

 agents who did not know of their own rule, but always 

 charged the animal rate on animal shipments. But the rule 

 is found in every graduated charge book of every express 

 compan}', and the experienced express men and experienced 

 shippers know all about it. If the agent in your town is 

 ignorant of the rule, ask him for his graduated charge book 

 and you will find it under the classification "Animals." 

 Every customer of ours entitled to the single or merchandise 



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