MAKING CLAIMS 267 



"A great many of the leakages are caused by the weight of the 

 grain bulging the grain doors out. These are instances where the 

 shipper is anxious to get into the car every pound of grain he possibly 

 can — another result of the scarcity of equipment. In such instances 

 the shipper should take into consideration the extraordinary weight 

 of the grain and should use enough lumber at the doors to prevent 

 the grain doors bulging or breaking. 



"A great many of the claims for grain shortages do not represent 

 shortages at all, but merely errors in weight, which are brought about 

 by lack of system or carelessness on the part of the shipper. Possi- 

 bly he loads his car on a team track, or he may be loading two or 

 more cars of different grades; he will frequently get a wagon load 

 of one grade into the wrong car, and, as a consequence, one of the 

 cars will check short — say, 2,000 pounds, while the other car will 

 over-weigh 2,000 pounds. He puts in a claim for the shortage, but 

 the railroad company never hears of the overage. It would be sur- 

 prising to know how many cases of this kind the railroad companies 

 actually bring to light, and it would be still more surprising if we 

 could find out ho.w many cases we never succeed in bringing to light." 



Suggestions As To Making Claims. In presenting claims for 

 the loss of grain in transit, claimants who desire prompt attention 

 should furnish the railroad companies against whom the claim is 

 made, with the following documents and information: 



First, with copy of bill of lading. 



Second, with an affidavit made by the person who loaded the 

 grain, showing the amount, date, place and number of the car into 

 which the grain was loaded; how it was weighed and the condition 

 of the car when loaded. 



Third, the account of sales for the grain when it reached desti- 

 nation. 



Fourth, certificate of the weighmaster at destination. If he is not 

 the official Board of Trade Weighmaster, an affidavit from the person 

 who unloaded the grain, showing when and where it was unloaded, 

 seals of the car, condition of the car, and the number of pounds or 

 bushels unloaded. 



Fifth, a complete record of any investigations which have been 

 made prior to making claim for loss, with reference to the loading, un- 

 loading and weighing of the grain. 



Sixth, a statement of the number of bushels lost and value of same. 



