similar matters must have unanimous approval before they become effective.

It is the general practice for conferences to quote contract and noncontract rates. Contract rates are granted to all shippers who sign period contracts agreeing to forward all shipments in the trade covered by the conference on vessels of carriers belonging to the conference. Slightly higher noncontract rates are assessed all shippers who do not avail themselves of the contract privilege. Time limits on such contracts differ with the individual conferences.

It is customary in all tariffs to quote rates for various commodities on weight, measurement, or ad valorem basis, and freight is computed in whichever manner produces the greater revenue for the vessel. Ocean freight rates are dependent upon whether the shipment is made in accordance with the bill of lading limit of value. If the shipper elects to ship at a value in excess of the bill of lading limit of value the rate is proportionately higher. Packages of miscellaneous articles generally are rated on the basis of the highest rated article contained therein. The ocean carrier reserves the right to refuse cargo which may damage other cargo or the vessel, or prove offensive to passengers.

When allowed, brokerage charge usually does not exceed 21⁄2 percent of the total cargo booked, and brokerage bills usually contain the following clause:

In compliance with section 16 of the Shipping Act of 1916, payment by carrier and acceptance of freight brokerage by the broker are on the strict understanding that no part of the brokerage shall revert to the shipper or consignee, and that the business of the broker is in no sense subsidiary to that of the shipper or consignee.

All rates are exclusive of marine insurance.

If sufficient cargo is offered to lines, members of the following conferences call at the port, and the rules, regulations, and charges as outlined are applicable.

South America

Out-bound (south-bound) freight traffic.-Rates, rules, regulations, and practices of the U. S. Atlantic and Gulf/West Coast of South America Conference are representative of conditions existing in the trade from Atlantic and Gulf ports to South American West Coast ports in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Chile.

Its freight tariff names contract and noncontract, class, and commodity rates in U. S. currency which apply from shipside at U. S. Atlantic and Gulf ports to loading piers of the individual carriers to end of ship's tackle at port of destination.

Ports of call are divided into five groupings as follows:

Ports shown under group V are subject to specified arbitraries which are to be added to the rates quoted to ports in group II.

Ports to which direct passenger service is maintained. Certain commodities when shipped to these ports on direct freight vessels are subject to a discount ranging from 5 to 10 percent of the freight rate quoted. Rates on cargo to these ports, with but few exceptions, when forwarded on vessels transhipping at Cristobal or Balboa are subject to discounts of from 5 to 10 percent of the quoted rate.

Rates apply per cubic foot or per 100 pounds gross weight, whichever yields the greater revenue and commodity rates take precedence over class rates, whether higher or lower as the case may be.

Certain specific commodities provided for in the tariff may be subject to special rates under term contracts for definite amounts of tonnage at the discretion of the member lines.

Rates apply on pieces or packages not exceeding 6,720 pounds or 35 lineal feet. Pieces or packages exceeding these specifications are subject to higher rates.

All freight and charges must be prepaid in currency of the United States.

Shipments from all ports to Buenaventura and Tumaco, Colombia, are subject to a surcharge of $1.75 per ton of 1,000 kilos. Craneage charges, if any, on pieces or packages exceeding 4,480 pounds are for the account of the consignee.

Shipments to Guayaquil, Salinas (La Libertad), Bahia de Caraquez, Esmeraldas, Manta, and Puerto Bolivar in Ecuador are subject to surcharges. Charges for the first two named amount to $2 per ton while for the last three it amounts to $0.25. Craneage charges, if any, on pieces or packages exceeding 4,480 pounds are for account of consignee.

At the Peruvian port of Callao the surcharges are $3 per ton, except explosives on which the charge is 6 percent of the total freight charges, and at Pisco the surcharge is 9 percent of the total freight charges. At all other Peruvian ports the surcharge is 6 percent of the total freight charges.

At Valparaiso and San Antonio, Chile, the surcharge is 50 cents per ton of cargo and in addition a landing charge of $2 per ton of cargo or on lumber $3 per 1,000 board feet is assessed. Where a minimum of 100 tons of 2,240 pounds is forwarded by one shipper to one consignee on one steamer, consignee may arrange for his own. lighterage, in which case the above landing charge will not apply. Craneage charges, if any, on packages or pieces exceeding 4,480 pounds are for the account of the consignee. At other Chilean ports a surcharge of 50 cents per ton of cargo as freighted is assessed.

Rates, rules, regulations, and practices of the River Plate and Brazil Conference are representative of conditions existing in the trade from Atlantic and Gulf ports to ports in Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina. Rates are in United States currency and apply per ton of 2,240 pounds or 40 cubic feet. Rates are quoted in 2 classes-A and B, depending on the speed of the vessels on which cargo is transported. "A Class B vessel is one which shall not arrive nor be advertised to arrive at ports named below in less than voyage time noted, which shall be figured from time of sailing from last Atlantic, Gulf, or Canadian cargo-loading port; Pernambuco, 14 days; Bahia, 15 days; Rio de Janeiro, 16 days; Santos, 18 days; Montevideo, 21 days; and Buenos Aires, 24 days." Any vessel completing or being advertised to complete a faster voyage than allowed by the above is designated a class A vessel and must accordingly collect higher freight rates.

No freight engagement or contract will be made at rates named in the tariff for a period in excess of the current and next succeeding two

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calendar months. Rates apply on pieces or packages of 4,480 pounds or less and not exceeding 40 lineal feet. Pieces and packages exceeding these specifications are subject to a higher rate.

Cargo to the following ports, in addition to the base rate, is subject to port taxes: Bahia, Natal, Cabadello, Pernambuco, Porto Alegre, Pelotas, and Rio Grande R. S. These port taxes range from 25 cents per freight ton at Cabadello and Pernambuco to 85 cents per freight ton at Pelotas and Rio Grande R. S. The port tax on lumber per M feet to these ports is 21⁄2 times the aforementioned taxes.

Freight brokerage not to exceed 1 percent may be allowed to bona fide brokers.

All freight charges must be prepaid.

The absorption by the vessels, its agents or consignees, of any lighterage charges, rail charges or similar charges is prohibited except in the following instances: (1) When there is not sufficient water alongside discharging berth to accommodate vessel; (2) when the tariff rate is on a landed basis and because of Port Regulations at destination steamer is not permitted to unload alongside quay, lighterage charge from shipside to regularly appointed Government deposit is for the account of the vessel. If delivery is requested at a point other than that where cargo would have been unloaded had vessel been permitted to come alongside dock, lighterage charges are in such cases for account of cargo; (3) when conditions at port of destination warrant employment of lighters to hasten discharge of the cargo the payment of such charges on the part of the vessel employing lighters will not be considered as a violation of the conference agreement when the cargo thus unloaded is later delivered at a customary Government deposit such as is used by vessels discharging direct to dock; (4) if a vessel contracts to load or discharge at an especially designated section of a port and if for any reason it develops that vessel is unable to call at place so designated, it is not permissible for vessel to assume any portion of lighterage or rail charges resulting from failure to carry out terms of original contract. It is, however, the privilege of any member line to appeal to the conference for relief when conditions beyond their control prevent the carrying out of this provision. The conference will then determine after considering the circumstances if any exception may properly be granted. Lighterage delivery of lubricating products to the Boco Buenos Aires may be granted for a minimum of 60 tons per steamer when $1.20 per ton is charged in addition to the rate. Where lighterage is for account of cargo at discharging ports, member lines are permitted to grant consignees the benefit of their lighterage contracts all charges being paid by consignees.

The tariff provides contract and tariff or noncontract rates.

Case oil is outside the scope of the conference agreement. It is defined to include the following petroleum products: kerosene, gaso

line, naphtha, motor spirits, fuel oil, benzine, case oil, turpentine substitutes, and road oil.

It is the usual practice of the conference to quote "open" rates on coal, coke, grain (n. o. s.), lumber, pitch pine, and fur, phosphate rock and sulphur in bulk. When the rate on such commodities is "open" conference rules and regulations are not applicable.

Shipments originating at United States or Canadian ports and moving on through bills of lading issued by intercoastal carriers or coastwise carriers are within the scope of the agreement and subject to all conference rules, rates, and practices.

Agricultural implements moving on through ocean bills of lading will be treated exactly as if originating locally irrespective of port of origin. Except as otherwise provided, all quotations dealing with through bills of lading from foreign countries are outside the scope of the conference agreement.

Through export railroad bills of lading from interior points in North America will not be accepted by member lines, and no line may issue its local bill of lading covering such cargo for delivery at ultimate destination against surrender of such through export railroad bill of lading.

In addition to the base rates, transhipment rates are quoted to Antonina, Aracaju, Areia Branca, Ilheos, Itajahy, Laguna, and Pelotas (Brazilian ports) and also to the following: Fray Bentos, Mercedes, Nueva Palmira, Paysandu, Salto, Soriano, and Villa Encarnation (Uruguay ports); Commodora Rivadavia, Puerto Deseado, Puerto Madryn, Rio Gallegos, San Antonio, San Julian, and Santa Cruz (Patagonian ports); Asuncion, Concepcion del Paraguay, Ibicuy, and Parana (River Plate ports); and Barranqueras, Carumba, Colon, Condordia, Corrientos, Diamente, Fabrica Colon, Gualeguaychu, Posadas, Puerto Casado, San Nicolas, Yerua, and Formosa other Argentine ports).

In-bound (north-bound) freight traffic.-Rates, rules, regulations, and practices of the Brazil-United States Freight Conference are representative of conditions existing in the trade from ports on the East Coast of South America to United States Atlantic and Gulf ports. Rates are quoted from Angra dos Reis, Desterro, Florianapolis, Paranagua, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Francisco do Sul, Santos and Victoria, Brazil, and apply in United States currency per 1,000 kilos or 40 cubic feet on pieces or packages not in excess of 2 metric tons or of 40 lineal feet. Pieces or packages exceeding these specifications are subject to a higher rate.

Rates are classified in two categories Class A and class B. Any vessel completing, or being advertised to complete, a faster passage than allotted below to New York from ports as shown is designated as a class A vessel and must accordingly charge and collect class A rates from all ports-from Santos, 19 days and 24 hours; Angra dos Reis, 19