The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-03-13
M 'ADOO IS GOING
 TO DIRECT LARGE ExPRESSSYSTEMS

Washington, March 13-The Ad- ministration is preparing to put the express companies of the United States under government control within the next ten days or two weeks. Director General McAdoo would administer them with the rail- roads. The concerns to be taken over are the Adams, American, Wells Fargo, Southern, Great Northern Northern, Canadian and Western.
 Last year was hard on some of the companies and the service was not of a high quality. It is believed by friends of the Administration that to take control is a natural and logical step at this time. They think such action will result in quicker, better, and cheaper service.
 There is a strong sentiment in both Houses of Congress for government control of the express service, and if the President acts he is likely to have the cooperation of the Senate and House.
 It is not believed that the express companies will oppose the proposi- tion. Their officers have conferred with officials of the Railroad Admin istration with a view to starting a movement to have the government take over their properties and operate them during the war.
 There is pendingJ before the Inter state Commerce Commission a propo- sition for an increase of 10 per cent | in express rates.
 The determination of the Adminis- tration to assume control came after l thousands of complaints of poor ser vice had been made to Director Gen. eral McAdoo.
 It is believed by government off, | cials that control of this service will save millions of dollars worth of per- ishable foodstuffs to American pro ducers and shippers. It is pointed out that it is important that action be taken in this matter immediately so as to assist the movement of spring food crops from the South and Gulf Coast States.
 There is a feeling in Congress that President Wilson is in favor of gov eInment ownership of railroads, ex- press companies and other private | agencies that serve the public. It is predicted privately by leading Con- gressmen that in a short while MT. | Wilson will go a step further and l recommend government ownership Several years ago, when the Parcel Post Law was enacted, there was a strong sentiment in Congress for talk | ing over the express companies anL | making one great system for pack ages. The parcel post has reduced | the earnings of the express companies to a considerable extent.
 Representative Cary of Wisconson, l expressed the hope that the govern ment would take over the express l companies and all the other public utilities of the country. This course, he said, should be taken in the inter l est of the people, and should be adopted not only as a war measure, but as a fixed policy of the govern ment. MT. Cary has introduced | bills to create the Department of l Transportation, to take charge of all transportation of the United States we might as well recognize ii now" he said. ''The country will have to come to it sooner or later. | Government ownership and operation of these utilities is favored by the | people.
 Why shouldn't the express com panies be taken over? The govern ment is really doing an express busi- ess today in the parcel post system It is the thing for this country to d in order to meet the wishes of the people and to protece them. "The government should hay charge of everything that enters into | interstate commerce, inclU ding the telegraph and telephone systems. hope the report that the President will act in this matter is true."
 According to reports to the Inter state Commerce Commission by eight express companies for the 10 months ended with October, 1917, their tota l operating revenues were S94, ,S69 ,150 the operating expenses were $91,672.. C23 and the net operating revenue: amounted to $3,197,127. The uncol lectible revenue from transportation totaled s54,71S, the express taxe ere $1,S16,210 and the operating in come was s1,326,199.
 While the total operating revenues for the express companies for the Il
 months ''ended with October, 1916 were but $SO,SS8, BIT, their operatin!
 income amounted to $7,79S,724, O
 over six times as great as that for tn, same period of 1917.
 During the month of October, 1917
 the express companies covered a tota
 of BOT, ,9S1.5S miles in handling thei
 business.
 The Adams Express Co. was tn
 cEly one showing loss in its operat
 ing income for the 10 months ende'
 with October, 1917, the de1cl
 amounting to s1,S80,445. Tn
 American Express Company showe the highest operating income durin
 this period. Its figures, furnished tn
 Interstate Commerce Commission \ amounted to $939,725.