In regard to rates and charges, among the most important of this company's regulations are the following:
(1) Rates are assessed per cubic foot, or 100 pounds ship's option, except as otherwise provided.
(2) Packages containing different articles will be charged the tariff rate for the highest class article contained therein.
(3) Packages of more than $100.00 in value must be noted on ships receipts when such goods are offered at the pier. Charges on packages of this kind will be in addition to tariff 3/4 of 1% on all values over $100.00 per package. This company will not be liable in the event of loss or damage from any cause whatever as detailed in bills of lading, for more than $100.00 per package unless such value is shown on shipping receipts and extra freight paid thereon.
(4) Minimum charge to San Juan, P. R., $3.00; to Curaçao, Maracaibo, Coro and Puerto Cabello, $5.00; to La Guaira, Ven., $5.00 plus wharf dues.
(5) Heavy or bulky packages by special arrangement only.
(6) This company requires two copies of bills of lading to San Juan, P. R., and Curaçao, D. W. I., and five copies to La Guaira, Puerto Cabello, Maracaibo and Coro, Venezuela.[9]
There are many additional regulations covering special cases, which it is impossible to enumerate here. For those interested I would recommend a copy of the Red D Line Freight Tariff No. 1-A, which may be secured at any of this company's offices.
The ships now in service for this line are the Caracas, 3,000 tons; Philadelphia, 2,500 tons; Merida, 630 tons, and the twin screw steamers Maracaibo and Zulia, 1,800 tons each. Two additional vessels for use on this line are now under construction in the States.
At the present time, however, it is to be regretted that comparatively poor and irregular service exists between the two Americas. American salesmen and business men operating in Venezuela constantly complain of delays in forwarding mail and merchandise resulting in financial loss for themselves and creating dissatisfied customers. Considering the existing monopoly in communication, it is surprising that trade between Venezuela and America has progressed to the extent that it has. Venezuela is a rich country and can supply many varieties of agricultural products to the United States; on the other hand, she must look to the United States for manufactured goods, machinery, etc., to enable her to prosper. There is a wonderful opening for American capital in the country of Simón Bolívar, but it never can be fully realized until ocean communication between the two sister republics is greatly improved.