Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1913-01-10
Martin TO
SUPPORT BILL
SOUTH DAKOTAN ON TRAIL OF
EXPRESS COMPANIES.
Termed BIGGEST GRAFT

ROADS TO DO ALL THE EXPRESS
BUSINESS.
Washington, D. G., January lO.-Be-
lieving that express companies are
great monopoly, and merely parasites
which should be abolished, Represents.
tive Martin, of South Dakota, is to
push a measure which would require
the railroads to do all the express busi-
ness Of the country. In an interview
Mr.. Martin made it clear that while he
is q member Of the house committee on
interstate and foreign commerce, he
does not speak for the committee
"While [ do not believe there is
great opposition to my measure" said
Mr.. Martin" whatever say is to be un.
derstood as expressing my own views
only. The proposition is important,
and in such matters only the chairman
Of the committee, Mr.. Adamson, of
Georgia, could represent the commit.
tee. Ny bill was introduced at the
last session of congress, and l shall
push 1t Immediately after the holidays
for hearing.
"Express companies are merely para
sites, as 1 view it. They perform no
important function except merely the
collection aud delivery of packages
that could be done more cheaply by
local teamsters in every CITY and will
age. The Great Northern Express
company follows that plan, and &C.
cording to figures furnished to the in
terstste commerce commission shows
the smallest operating expenses of any
of the express companies. The main
function of the express companies as
now operated appears to be to stand
between the shipping public and the
real common carriers, which are the
railroad companies, as an excuse for
exacting two or three prices for the
service. Generally these companies hre
owned in large part by the chief owners
of railroad. The simplest as we'll as the
most logical relief for the present
abuses is to abolish the express COM
panies altogether and compel the rail-
road companies, which are the real
common carriers, to do the express as
we'll as the freight business.
TERMED BIG GRAFT.
"Next to the industrial trusts which
are compelling tribute of many mill
lions annually. in my judgement, from
consumers by manipulation of prices
of the necessities of life, the biggest
graft In this country is the express
companies graft. The charges paid
for express rates for the last fiscal
year amount to sl46,116,OoO. The
amount invested in property used by
the express companies is S25.325 GOO.
The companies declared dividends last
year amounting to S32, ,703. 600, which is
128 percent Of the Investment in the
business. A portion of this large divi
dend is declared from so called sur.
plus, but nevertheless the surplus
funds increased during the year from
S5O,525 600 to So9,2l5, 600 notwthsthnd
ing the liberal dividend. These com
panies have made 80 much money from
exorbitant express rates that they
have controlled a very large capital
which is invested in miscellaneous
matters, such as stocks, bonds and
other first class securities. They also
loan large amounts to common carriers
upon which they are holding common
carriers securities to the all cunt Of
s8l, 100000. They have worked their
monopoly in the carrying Of quick tran
sit packages to such An alarming ex
tent that the rights of the public bav,
been seriously imposed upon. Express
rates in the United States are Iracti
cally three times the charges for like
services in European countries enc
Great Britian, while freight rates il
the United States are generally lowel
than III these other countries.
"The investigations recently mad,
by the interstate commerce commits
sion and the house committee on in
terstste ana foreign commerce into til
details of the express business shov
intolerable conditions. The schedules
OF rates are most complicated, SO tina
it is practically impossible for y ship
Der to ascertain what should be tn
correct rate oe:wean ei1en points
Overchsrges are hahituaI. One OK
press company alone WAS found Il