Be assured of this, William—you can’t ride both horses!
To President Roosevelt
The people have given you power and opportunity. For four years you will have a responsibility such as few men have ever had.
What Will You Do With It?
The Express Companies are robbing the people of many millions of dollars every year in excessive charges for carrying small parcels. In every civilized land, save ours, the Government carries these small parcels at a nominal cost, as a part of the postal service.
In America, a venal Congress keeps the yoke of the Express Companies fastened upon the people and will not allow the government to establish a Parcels Post. Mr. President, will you not fix your attention upon this monstrous abuse? Will you not come into the arena and help us in the fight for the Parcels Post?
Mr. President, the railroads are charging the government $65,000,000 per year for carrying our mails! This represents a yearly income of more than two per cent. upon three billion dollars.
Squeeze out the water, and the railroads of the United States could be bought for three billion dollars.
Therefore, on the carriage of mails alone, your administration is paying the railroads more than two per cent. upon their entire value!