New Beseler 23c user questions

I just picked up a nice 23c II XL in very good shape. I have just a couple of questions so far. How do you handle a roll of negatives with the standard negative carriers? What do you do with the hanging lose ends?
On the opposite end of things, how do you handle very short strips or single negatives in the carriers? It seems very difficult to position them in the carrier.
Second topic is variable contrast filters. Is it better to use below the lens filters or do you get better results with larger filters in the drawer above the condenser?
Thanks.

Film strips typically cut into 5 or 6-frames for negative storage sleeves are easy to place in the holder and advance manually to the negative you want. For rolls of film and strips, there is a Beseler Negatrans device that enables you to advance the frames through the holder without touching the film: http://www.freestylephoto.biz/8081-Beseler-23C-35mm-Negatrans-Carrier. There are a few used for 35mm film currently on ebay for $35-50.

For shorter strips (say 3-4 negatives), you just have to wrestle with the strip to get the negative you want properly placed in the holder.

On contrast filters above or below the lens, some claim above the lens is better, others claim there's no difference:
(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

Above the lens is preferred because it keeps any dust on the filter or issues with the gelatin coating on the filter out of the image-forming optical path.

Thanks for the answers. So what brand of VC filters fit nicely in the top drawer? I think it is 5-1/2" square.
The Kodak below lens filters seem to be plentiful but don't see many others.

I use primarily Ilford paper, so I use these - http://www.freestylephoto.biz/137666-Ilford-Multigrade-Filter-Set-6-in.-x-6-in. They're fine for all brands of paper, but I got my first set with a box of paper as a promotion (haven't seen them like that for years, tho). They can be cut down to fit the 23C easily (I have the 23C III XL). The other answers are exactly what I was going to say, too.