The express companies of the United States

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A Study of a Public Utility
BERT BENEDICT
Price 10 Cents
Published by
THE INTERCOLLEGIATE SOCIALIST SOCIETY
70 Fifth Avenue, New York City 1919

The Intercollegiate Socialist Society takes pleasure in presenting to the public this careful monograph of Mr. Bertram Benedict on the important subject of The Express Companies of the United States. The pamphlet is particularly timely in these days when the nation is endeavoring to formulate its policy regarding the future control of the express business.
It is, moreover, the first concise and scholarly analysis of the express service in America that has appeared in recent years and is a distinct contribution to the literature on the subject. The author herein presents a vivid, bird's-eye view of the development of the express companies from the days of the stage-driver up to the present time. He portrays the rapid consolidation of express systems, their integration with the great railroads, their remarkable enlargement of activities, the growing competition of the parcel post with the private express systems and the increasing governmental regulation over this utility.
This survey is followed by an analysis of the present status of the express companies, and a discussion of express profits. The relative service rendered by express and parcel-post is then dealt with, and the reader is treated to an illuminating discussion of the probable savings accruing from government ownership and management of the express industry, particularly as a result of consolidation of equipment, agencies, offices, etc.
In conclusion, Mr. Benedict deals with various methods whereby the government may take over the express companies, tells of the present status of the companies as a result of the war, and gives us a glimpse into future developments. The author reaches the conclusion that the express service should be a public agency and that it should be closely connected with the post office department rather than with the railroad administration. The pamphlet as well explains the manner in which European countries have handled this problem and presents a complete bibliography on the general topic. The author throughout gives a wealth of accurate information concerning the express system in all of its manifold relationships.