, 1866-10-20
RIVAL EXPRESS COMPANIES.

From the Cincinnati Gazette, October 1871

tFzom the Cincinnati Gazette, October 1s.]
II Is well known that new company,
called the Merchants Union Express, has
lately been organized, and has entered upon
other express matter. Its stockholders con-
ssst largely OF merchants who have goods to
be carried, and 1t has provided itself with
full equipment for business, which, With the
substantial character Of Its organization, are
8 sufficient guarantee OF the genuinencss Of
the enterprise.
Ofcourse the express carrying trade Is open
to the world, and any company may engage
in it, and it is for the public interest that
there should be healthy competition;
therefore the public interest cannot but look
with favor upon the new enterprise. But of
course new competitions are not welcome to
those who already have possession Of all the
business, and 1t is to be expected that if
their possession has become IN the nature Of
vfrtnal monopoly, they will use their pow
er TO run the new conner out Of the business.
When this is done by fair competition In
prices, or By the superior quality Of the SER
vice, it is good fo: the public, aud generally
results in increase Of business and in benefit
to all engaged in it,
We find going the rounds Of the press,
confidential circular, which VIC published on
Tuesday. from the General Superintendent
Of the United States Express Company, ad.
dressed to superinteudcnts and agents Of that
company, directing them Us to the course to
be pursued toward the new company, which
seems TO show the manner Of strife which
the old companies propose to wage with
the new. It orders them to have no bust
ncss relations with the new company, direct
y or indirectly to receive no express mat
ter from it, nor deliver any to Ii
whether paid or unpaid, consigned or un-
consigned. 1t also lnstructs them to, retain
the business, BY cutting rates to such a fis-
ure as may be necessary, on all routes whers.
the Merchants Cnion Express comes in
Competition, and to maintain rates as befor.,
upon the routes where there is no competi-
II the Instructions were to reduce rates. In
order to hold the business, even il flimfted 10
the routes where the new company computes,
the competition would be legitimate. and
such as is regarded Us healthy for the gen
etal interest. But it appears to us that to
e order agents to neither receive goods iron,
| tnc new company, nor to deliver to 1t, no
matter If consigned to 1t or whether paid or
unpaid, Is ordering them to refuse to do
| what the law makes 1t the duty Of common
carriers to do. And the order TO cut rates to
| any price that will hold the business, on all
| routes where the new company co.npetes,
! and to maintain rates where the new com
! rany does not compete, places the old COM
| lsanJ 50 plainly before the public il an ill.,
dcstaking TO crush the new company, SO that
It may gain the power Of monopoly, to
charge them whatever it pleases, that 1t
must create an u'ttavorab!c impression with
| thr general public, ard arouse them to sus-
| tain mn Organization which Is thus demon
sttated to be Necessary TO their protection,
ihe new company was raised to fill q rcn-
e!al want. This kind vf warfare upon Ii by
the Old organization seems to be rroof OF
tho need. The express business has grown
| 80 Largely. having appropriated to itself the
carrying Of the greater part Of the ,ncrcllan-
disc, that thcrt seems to be room for another
company. aud 1t is generally though. that
there is need Of competition. 4 COMPANY
organized not long ago uuslcr what seemcI
to be promising auspices, sold out t o the
old companies before beginning business.
The Merchants Union has shown its sub
stantlal character and genuine intentions by
purchasing the costly equipment. and nro-
ylding the stations and opening business,
1t Is questionable II monopoly Of this
great trnde can be maintained, and whether
the companies will not have to ray more to
buy out new projects and crush out new en-.
terpsiscs than they will make by the inter-
walls Of exclusive possession. We desire to
sec all prosper, and believe that this great
and growing country furnishes room ei1ush,
and that II cannot be monopolizcd. The
public will, of course, gladly avail them
selves OF competition thai reduces rates. and
will feel that it-fs for their interest that such
competition shall be Kept up. And it seems
10 Us that reduction Of rates By the old
companies upon those routes only where the
ne" completes, will make an inridions dis
tinction that will not tend to preserve the
most friendly relations with the public gen
orally" which the circular desires the agents
to maintain