486 FEDSBAIi BEFOBTEB. �through business, but to make large and profitable returns to the stockholders. But, under the present. aystem of consoli- dations of innumerable email companies into grand through lines, the necessity no longer exists, and for the aforesaid rea- sons the railway companies are much better able to do the express business themselves than any express company could, and the public will be vastly benefited thereby. The exclu- sive contraots which were originally granted to the different express companies, and which they bave heretofore enjoyed, ■were granted merely for the reason that no two or more could have been allowed to come on one road, because the railways ■would not bave been able to give them both the same facUi- ties in space and in attendance, and it would be a matter of impossibility for any railway company to work its express business by more than one company to any advantage to the railway company, the express company, or to the public. More than one express company would increase the expense to the railway company in such a material way that very dif- ferent terms would have to be made and compensation asked than their former exclusive contraots specified, as in most cases an additional car would have to behauledfor each com- pany on the fast passenger trains, which carry the United States mail, and which, with the present condensed fast sched- ■ules and time cars, it would not be possible to do, except by providing specially-constructed machinery for the purpose, as we would, with the present f acilities we bave, delay the mails and cause inconveniencft to the passengers and the public at large; when, in point of fact, a great many of the large railway companies of this country have already dispensed with fast freight lines and express companies on their differ- ent Systems, and are now doing their own express business to the best satisfaction of themselves and the public. The railway companies are able to give as satisfactory attention to the collection, transmission, and delivery of express matter as the express companies can possibly give. The Louisville & Nashville Eailroad Company is now doing its own express business, and meeting ail the demands of the public for ex- press accommodations." ����
