New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-06-24
CITY ITEMS.

The EXPREss FREIGHT BUsIyEss-Some idea may
be formed of the magnitude of the business done by the
half dozen Express Companies of this city, from
staet 1t of the e. lowing facts touching of them
the American, by Wells. Butteried & Go. Their
contract with the Hudson River Railroad Company il
to pay them 800 day, freight or no freight, and
stipulated price per tun for all certain smount
that C mes within the 500 contract. The sum sctu
ally paid for many weeks will average about $500
day. The contract with the New-York Central Ro I'd
is $500 DAY. and the average payments shout $3.50.
30 much has the business increased that they find their
rcomy premises, at No 50 Broadway, entirely too
small, ard have lately obtained new freight house,
% by l26 feet four stories high, a. No. 1914 Duane
street where their freight stand upon rails con-
nec,d by switch with the track of the Hudson River
Road and here all the heavy freight gathered by the
wagons about the city will be taken, direct from tn
wagons TO the cars just resting long enough upon the
scscs to be weighed and marked. This will prove =
great convenience not only 10 the Company and their
patrons but to the city at large as It will take 80 much
business off BIosdway 1t will be also saving Of
valuable tHe and allow the agents TO receive freight
up to or very near the time of starting the train.
Freight will also be delivered from this station a. fast
az II arrives for all regular customers, or persons
whose residences are wn and only such az is 10 be
called for taken to the Broadway office for safe keep
irQ and delivery. During the busy season this Spring.
the Company cent of four car loads day OF eight
turs each Tor about six weeks, and, some extra days
FIVE car loads The quantity rarely falls below two
cars a day. OF course the business is Profitable or
the Company would not promptly meet lo'' OF
$50 900, ne they did last Fall to the United States
The perous accused of that robbery were arrested
some months ago and lately PLACED upon trial at
Detroit The company attached $4,000, Supposed to
b. pat Of the proceeds Of the robbery but It vii be
a absorb.d in expenses. Profitable, however, a. r
well conducted express business may be, We doubt
whether railroad compsny can undertake It with any
advantage to their stookhoders becau.e it requires
large amount Of experience and great deal of energy
Oh the part If the agents who conduct all the opera
tions We fear that Mr.. McColIum, Super'nter dent
Of the Erie Road, has made false move IN under
taking the Express business upon that road We
think So because he can ony do the local bu dness
ole g the line and that at the loss OF all freight bust
ness of Express companies sending goods q the West
because they feel agrieved aud will give their freight
and influence of business to riva lines. We judge
th- is the case, from numerous articles that we have
upon the subject in our exchanges. One paper stated
iba. the American Express Company were taking
active measures to retaiate upon the Erie road for
,hi. loss of business This y a mistake. Tha. com
lsDy mas nVt -. f.aioht over the Enc road or
done any express business along the line ror
Their Western freight all goes up the Hudson River
RI ad. and will continue to 90 that way, # We may
Judge by the arrangement of freight hoase that
We have mentioned. This company have T5 way
stations west of Buffalo, end about l25 in this State
ell Of which Of course north OF the Enc road and
coutiguous district. II was rival company did bus-
ue-s soDg that l.ne The Express business is an
American invention. II originated some fifteen or
sixteen years ago with Harnden, who undertook TO
extend il into Europe, and failed, after sinking 40 IN
mense sum that be had made in ths country, and If
we are rightly I'oined, did poor As Al American
institution II has been successful and proftab. to the
con pani-s and to the people. We coald no more do
without the Express now than We could without The
mail or telegraph. We thick both would be more
satisfactorily conducted by companies o! md sidaais
Of energy and capacity, than by Government officials
or r,iroed corporations.