throughout the world, accept these checks at face value. Stores and shops generally in all countries accept them in payment of purchases.

The United States Government accepts the "A. B. A.” checks as payment for customs duties. This arrangement eliminates the necessity of procuring United States money abroad, or leaving baggage in bond while money is secured after landing.

Denominations.-The checks are issued in four denominations-$10, $20, $50, and $100. Each check has engraved on its face its value in United States money, and its fixed equivalent in the moneys of the different countries, so that travelers know just what their checks are worth in the different countries, and are therefore protected against making mistakes in computing foreign exchange and exorbitant commissions of money changers.

Self-identifying.-These checks dispense with delays and embarrassments in obtaining funds, because they are selfidentifying, and those who deal with travelers know that it is safe to accept them. The holder's identity is established by comparison of counter-signature and signature, the checks being signed at the time of purchase and countersigned in the presence of the person called upon to cash them.

Everybody is protected in cashing these checks, whether he knows the bank which issued them or not, because every check bears the acceptance of the agent of all the issuing banks, appointed by the American Banker's Association.

Where to Obtain Checks.-"A. B. A." checks are issued and sold by the principal banks of the United States and Canada.

Lost Checks. -Currency or coin, if lost or stolen, is seldom recovered; but the "A. B. A." checks, if lost or stolen, will be replaced (if the purchaser has not countersigned the checks), after proper notice has been given by the purchaser, and arrangements made for the protection of the Bankers' Trust Company, New York City, on whom the checks are drawn.

Unused Checks.-Any "A. B. A." checks not used may be returned by the original purchaser, and will be redeemed at full face value at the bank where purchased, or at the Bankers Trust Company, New York.

EXPRESS COMPANY BUSINESS AS AFFECTED BY THE PARCELS POST

The reports of the express companies doing business in the United States made to the Interstate Commerce Commission on January 6, 1914, disclose the effect of the competition of the Parcels Post on the business of the companies.

Substantial Increase of Earnings. It appears from these reports that the Parcels Post has not proved the staggering blow to the express business that it was expected to. Of the eleven express companies doing business in the United States, six show a substantial increase of earnings in spite of the competition. Of the five big companies two gained and three lost business. The Adams Company showed the largest increase, and Wells-Fargo the greatest decrease in

revenue.

Changes in Three Months. -The reports made to the commission are for the business of July, August and Sep

tember, 1913. The revenues of the companies for this period and the increases and decreases as compared with the identical period in 1912, which was before the establishment of the Parcels Post, follow:

Reduction of Rates.-Undoubtedly the competition would nave made greater inroads upon the business of the express companies had not the latter generally reduced rates and changed their methods of operation so as to meet the demands of the public. To compete with the increase of limit in weight and the decrease in rates inaugurated in the Parcels Post, the express companies have been compelled to reduce their rates still further.

The New Express Rates. Under the new rates adopted by the express companies in conformity with the order of the Interstate Commerce Commission, effective February 1, 1914, it costs less to send parcels weighing twenty pounds or under on long distance hauls than it does by Parcels Post. For instance, it costs only $2.02 to send by express, insured, a parcel weighing 20 pounds from Chicago to San Francisco, while the rate by Parcels Post is $2.40, unin

sured and $2.75 insured. The following table is illustrative of some of the differences between the new and old express rates:

be

competition

A Boon to Interior Merchants. The tween the express companies and the Parcels Post has placed the business of the interior merchants on an independent basis. Instead of having to order their supplies by the car load in order to save cost of shipment, they may now, under the low express and Parcels Post rates, do just as profitable business through small-lot orders, thus tying up much less money than they were required to do in the days of the car load orders.

CUSTOMS DUTIES AND FREE LIST

UNDER THE NEW TARIFF ACT OF OCT. 3, 1913.

Dutiable List.

N. B.-The amounts given in dollars and cents are specific and the percentages are ad valorem duties. The abbreviation of “n. s. p.” means “not specially provided for.” The list gives the existing tariff rates on articles in common use or of extensive importation.

SCHEDULE A-CHEMICALS, OILS AND PAINTS.

Acids: Boracic, c lb.; citric, 5c lb.; formic, 12c lb.; gallic, 6c lb.; lactic and oxalic, 12c lb.; pyrogallic, 12c lb.; salycilic, 22c lb.; tannic, 5c lb.; tartaric, 1-3 c lb.; acids n. s. p., 15%.

Albumen, dried egg, 3c lb.

Alkalies and compounds of n. s. p., 15%
Alumina and compounds, n. e s., 15%.
Ammonia, carbonate and muriate,

c lb.; liquid anhydrous,

22c lb.; ammoniacal gas liquor, 10%. Argols, crude, and calcium tartrate, crude, 5%; with more than 90 per cent of potassium bitartrate, cream of tartar, Rochelle salts, 21⁄2c lb.

Balsams, natural and crude, 10%; advanced in value, 15%. Barium, chloride of, c lb.; dioxide of, 12c lb.; carbonate of, precipitated, 15%.

Blacking, all kinds, 15%.

Bleaching powder, chloride of lime, 1-10c lb.

Caffein, $1 lb.; compounds of, 25%.

Calomel, corrosive sublimate, 15%.

Chalk, manufactured, 25%.

Chemical and medicinal compounds, 10c lb. and 20% to 40c lb. and 20%.

Chemical and medicinal compounds in individual packages of 21⁄2 lbs. or less, 20% to 25%.

Chloroform, 2c lb.

Coal of tar dyes, n. s. p., 30%.

Coal tar products, not dyes, n. s. p., 5% to 15%.

Cobalt, oxide of, 10c lb.

Collodion, 15%; compounds, 25% to 40%.

Drugs, natural materials for, advanced in value, 10%.

Ergot, 10c lb.

Ethers, 4c to 5c lb.; ethers n. s. p., 20%.

Extracts for dyeing, %c lb.

Formaldehyde, lc lb.

Fusel oil, c lb.

Gelatin, glue and glue size, lc lb.; valued at above 10c lb., 15% to 25%.

Glycerin, crude, 1c lb.; refined, 2c lb.

Gums, crude, n. s. p., $1 lb.; arabic, c lb.; camphor, crude, 1c lb.; camphor, refined, 5c lb.

Ink and ink powders, 15%.

Iodoform, 15c lb.

Leaves and roots, c to 10c lb.

Licorice, extracts of, 1c lb.

Lime, citrate of, 1c lb.

Magnesia, 1-10c to 3 1-3c lb.

Menthol, 50c lb.

Oils, fish, n. s. p., 3c gal.; whale, 5c gal.; sperm, 8c gal.; oils and greases, n. s. p., 15%.

Oils, expressed, castor, 12c gal.; flaxseed and linseed, 10c gal.; olive, 20c to 30c gal.; other expressed oils, n. s. p., 15%. Oils, distilled and essential, 10% to 20% or 6c to 25c lb. Opium, crude, $3 to $6 lb.; derivatives of, $2 to $3 oz. Perfumery, cosmetics, dentrifices, if with alcohol, 40c lb. and 60%; without alcohol, 60%; perfumes, n. s. p., 20%. Plasters, curative, 15%.