Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1906-10-27
MONOPOLY OF THE EXPRESS
COMPANY.

To the Editor Of the Alexandria Gazette
So far as | have noticed, your paper
ever on the alert TO attack great public
wrongs, has been the first to inveigh
against the excessive rates which are ex-
acted by the Adams Express Company
of the people for the transportation OF
their parcels and packages. This cor
poratiOn through the many years OF our
history has without let or hindrance
and with the connivance OF the nations
law makers insinuated itself so thorough
" into the business life of our republic
that any attempt now by any private
organization however apparently well
devised, would be entirely powerlesS to
change or in any way modify the reg
ulations Of the express system rs they
exist and continue without interference
from year to year. Competition with it
in its exclusiveness by any other parties
outside of the government is hopeless
proposition.
Mr.. Bryan in sounding the keynote OF
his political platform; namely, "Goveru-
ment ownership" did not give us the
merest hint that he meant in any way
TO disturb this ancient monopoly or in.
fringe any of their time honored and
capital protected rights, for well he knew,
however satisfied he might have been OF
the urgent necessity OF government re-
form in tha: particular, that IFS monopoly
was too strongly guarded by Legislators
whose influences had been safety and
surely secured in advance and could be
relied On against all opposition.
| Today, there is no greater, more op-
press;ve monopoly of the peoples priVi-
leges in our republic than the franchises
held by this same corporation. 1t is the
parent of all the other trusts which the
people without remonstrance have suf-
fered capacicus capitalists TO sHict them
with, and vies With them all in its reck-
less pegation OF common rights. What
has been the proper and urgent business
of everybody in regard to its tolerance
has been taken in band by nobody, and
so it has continued unmole'ted. Seem
ingly it is legacy which has come to
stay.
The government transmits by its mails
all letters, cards, newspapers, magazines,
books and light parcels to and from all
points any where within the limits of the
States and territories with expedition and
at rates of which nobody complains, and
manfeslly, it ought to be given the trans
mission of all parcels, packages and so
on, too bulky to be crowded into mail
pouches, ard when quick transit is de-
sired. This is a right of our people,
and they shonld persistently demand ii
of Congress aud exact OF every candi-
date for membership in that body,
pledge in no unmistakable terms to
second and emphasize the wishes of his
constituents by voticg every time in their
interests.
There is not the shadow of doubt,
if the chaner of this company could by
any means be annuiled and the traffic of
carrying all parcels and packages of mer.
chandise could be left open to fair and
honorable competition, the prices for
their transmission would be theapened
10 at least one half of the rates now
charged, and ample margins of profit
still De left for enterprise.
Mr.. Bryan should be interviewed forth
with, and be required to define his views
on government ownership and control of
this branch OF the carrying traffic of our
country. w. H. o.