The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

Lal ce Vessel Unanimous Approval Given to Grain Rate of 414 Cents Set by Food Administration —Merchant Officers Needed for Salt Water Service—New Bill of Lading Adopted ESSEL owners of the Great \ Lakes on Sept. 10 met at Cleve- land and unanimously approved resolutions calling for the fullest co- operation with the government in mov- ing the immense tonnage of grain from the northwest to lower lake ports this fall. This co-operation was expressed in tangible form by placing the operation of most of the lake boats under the guidance of a central committee which already has worked successfully in straightening out the coal situation and which now in effect will have super- vision over the movement of iron ore, coal and grain on the lakes. The de- sire of the vessel interests to support the government in prosecuting the war also was shown by the-unanimous ap- proval given to the grain rate of 4% cents from ports at the head of Lake Superior to Buffalo—a rate suggested by the government and approved by a subcommittee of vessel owners. The meeting was attended by repre- sentatives of most of the steamship companies, including many members of the Lake Carriers’ association and others. The conference was called at the request of federal authorities in order that a clear understanding uf the government’s needs might be obtained New Grain Bill of Lading Approved by Lake Shipowners SHIPPED in good order and condition by.............+ by the shipowners... The government, through a representative of the navy department, also directed attention to the scarcity of junior officers on the Atlantic coast and urged that the Great Lakes interests make every effort to supply. several hundred officers to man merchant ships now going into commis- sion under governmental direction. December Rate Not Fixed The new rate of 4% cents will re- main in effect for the regular season of navigation which closes at midnight, Nov. 30. The rate for December load- ing and for storage will be discussed at a later meeting. This rate will be the maximum and during the regular ship- ping season no higher charges are to be made but chartering may be done at the going rate until the stipulated figure is reached. _ The government was represented by Julius H. Barnes, director of the grain division of the food administration. Mr. Barnes opened the conference by em- phasizing the importance which the food administration attaches to the _ rapid movement of the maximum tonnage of grain this fall. He made. it clear to the vessel owners that the government intends to take an active part in ex- ship whether existing at time of shipment, or at the pediting the movement. One central authority, for instance. stationed at Buffalo will represent both the Canadian and American governments. Boats go-- ing to Buffalo will be consigned in -care of the food administration. By having — the unloading arrangements under the direct supervision of one head. the gov- ernment hopes to avoid all unnecessary delay in unloading. With the govern- ment acting as practically the only buyer it will be entirely feasible to dispatch boats to any port where un- loading facilities can be obtained. At the same time, loading arrangements can be so perfected that boats will not take on cargoes consigned to ports which are already congested. The loading of the grain will be han- dled by brokers under a pooling ar- rangement. For this purpose the Duluth Grain Chartering Corp. has _ been organized and the earnings of this com- pany will be prorated among the dif- ferent agents, using their chartering business of the past five years as a basis. This corporation has elected H. H. Dinham, of the Duluth Shipping Co., president: Ray C. Helm, D. T. Helm & Co., vice president and treas- urer; and D. W. Stocking of the Tom- linson company, Duluth, as secretary. as agents and forwarders, for account and risk of whom it may COnCeEn, Of DOAPd ste il) obs Bon eee Cosel wean GCTOOL seek ve ee es eG is master, now in the port SQA ee aetna ee we, and bound “fore. no ee es ae the following property as herein described, shippers’ weight (Weight, quality and value unknown to the under- signed), to be delivered in like good order and condi- tion (the dangers of navigation, fire and collision excepted), .as» consigned herein or to his or their assigns or assignees upon paying the freight and charges as noted below. The carrier shall make no claim for any overrun in the out-turn of cargo, and assumes no responsibility for shortage or for differences in weights ‘caused by natural shrinkage or discrepancies in elevator weights, but the carrier shall allow a fixed amount of one quarter bushel per thousand bushels as tare, the same to be’ deducted from the freight. All grain on board is to be delivered and freight is to be collected upon out-turn weight. Where two or more shipments are carried in the same compartment of the vessel, the shortage, if any, resulting upon unloading the last of these, shall be borne pro rata by the shippers. If the owner of the ship shall have exercised due diligence to make said ship in all respects seaworthy and properly manned, equipped and supplied, it is hereby agreed that in case of danger, damage or disaster result- ing from fault or negligence of the pilot, master or crew, in the navigation or management of the ship, or from latent or other defects, or unseaworthiness of the beginning of the voyage, but not discoverable by due diligence, the consignees or owners of the cargo shall not be exempted from liability for contribution in General Average. or for any special charges incurred, but with the Shipowner, shall contribute in General Average, and shall pay such special charges as if such danger, damage or disaster had not resulted from such fault, negligence, latent or other defects or un- seaworthiness. Permission given to tow and be towed and for reasonable deviation for that purpose. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the agents of the said vessel have affirmed to one Bill of Lading and copies thereof, the ORIGINAL Bill of Lading being. alone negotiable, and the said copies marked on their face as follows: ‘“Copy—Not Negotiable”. Order of Care of Notify aaOQQnaaaaaaaaaaaaaoooaoaoaoaoaoo___ ORIGINAL SaSo630NaN"—7?7_060?°°wmaoaaSS ee eeSSS¢§_§_ \ oO Peyeis whhoa nd i kes Bushels of : Freight from Duluth to being cents per bushel of pounds: Grain loaded.