May 1953 page 1

IT'S YOUR PROBLEM TOO

During April the railroad industry turned its attention to
the fearsome problem of freight loss and damage. Much was
said and written on the subject. Over and over it was pointed
out that money paid out in claims was money lost to the industry
forever.

George M. Harrison, writing in THE RAILWAY CLERK, put
the problem in terms of how much individual railroad em-
ployees lose indirectly because of loss and damage.

He wrote in part: "Loss and damahe is more than the
money paid to shipper for freight lost or damaged while in
care of the railroad. It also threatens the loss of a customer. Lost
or damaged freight shipments invite general criticism of the
railroads, with resultant transfer of that business to other
transport. Even claims paid promptly put two strikes on the
traffic solicitor when he tries to get shipments routed over your
road. Claims cost everyone, and the railroad employee risks
loss of his job and reduction of his pay if his industry continues
to be victimized by this form of direct loss."

We think Mr. Harrison has touched upon an important
aspect of this stupendous waste. Not only do the railroads literally
throw this money away, but in doing so they tend to under-
mine the shippers' confidence in their ability to carry out their
part of the bill-of-lading contract.

This problem can no longer be shrugged off as an inevi-
table factor in railroading. Fortunately the industry as a whole
is now taking positive steps to reduce loss and damage to an
acceptable minimum; but little progress can be made until
every employee is keenly aware of the problem and makes a
personal effort to help reduce this loss of both money and
reputation.