The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-03-27
ARE TO BE ABANDONED
That's What's 10 Be Done With Certain
Express 0flCaS.
ON THE NORTHERN PACIFIC
The Uptown offices VIII Have to
Co-Missoula On the List
Reasons for the Change
Discussed.

MIssoULA, March 26.-Therc is consider
able local interest in tho report that the
Northern Pacific express Office in this
city is to be abandoned and the business
of the express company is 10 be placed IN
the hands of the local agent of the rail-
road company. Agent Ludlum OF the cX-
press company has received no informa-
ton regarding the reported change, but
n. T.. Clark. agent of tho railroad COM
pany. has received copies OF the general
orders and has been instructed 10 pre-
pare TO handle tho express business at
his Office. Nothing further is known here
of the new arrangement, nor is 1t known
why the new plan has been decided upon.
The local office is n profitable one and II
would seem to be poor business policy to
close the downtown Office. The abandon
mcnt Of tho delivery system, too, finds
little favor among tho patrons OF the COM
pany and IL is claimed that this departure
will result in serious Inconvenience to
shippers and consignccs.
The change has already been decided
upon in Bismarck and will go into effec,
April 1. The Bismarck Tribune of Satur-
day, contains the following regarding the
new scheme.
Word was received by Agent Morris OF the
Northern Pacific Express company, this morn
ing of an important change to be made in the
local Office. on April the express office Is TO
be consolidated with the railroad department.
and both will be operated by Agent Scott. The
Office is TO be moved into the one formerly occu-
pied by John Davidson in the railroad depot,
and the express department will be under the
management OF the local railroad employees
without any extra force. The express wagon Is
TO be stored, the horse pastured. and hereafter
persons will call for packages, which will no
ha daIivarpd after that date Aren't Nor
ris will also be relieved OF his duties as express
agent at this point.
The move is not a local one, as It is under
stood the same move will be made at Grand
Forks and jamestown, and at all OF the offices
OF about that description between {. Paul and
the coast IL is In line with "A policy OF rigid
economy concluded to be enforced by the COM
pany superintendent Hay OF ST. Paul, OF the
middle division OF the company, is In the city
to-day.
Theer is considerable speculation as TO
the motive for these changes. 1t is not
believed that they are prompted by econ
omy, as the express business is extremely
profitable. The general opinion is that
the receivers have decided upon this
course in order to accomplish the sale oil
the express franchise to tho American ex.
press company. As is generally known
this company some time ago offered q
very liberal price for the franchise and
the receivers were anxious to make the
deal, but there was SO much opposition
among the smaller stockholders that il
fell through. If the objection of these
stockholders could be overcome, the sale
of the franchise would be made at once
and the express business conducted by an
independent company. 1t is more than
possible that tho change in the manner OF
handling the business has been made, in
order to overcome these objections.