[Wells Fargo] 31 Year Run of Presidential/Executive Circulars for the American Railway Express Company/Railway Express Agency 1918-1949

[Wells Fargo] 31 Year Run of Presidential/Executive Circulars for the American Railway Express Company/Railway Express Agency 1918-1949

Circulars stored in a rather worn and soiled 4-ring binder stamped in black on front, "American Railway Express Co." Binder holds likely several hundred unique circulars with most exhibiting wear to the edges. Some pages very toned. Light soiling.
Good Condition.

What first I assumed to be a very boring binder full of bureaucratic circulars from the president's office of the American Railway Express Company turns out to be in reality, a good lesson in history of the evolution of the movement of freight in the United States. And a valuable file record of the inner-workings of the American Railway Express Company.

Up until July of 1918, there existed 7 parcel freight companies in the United States including the well-known firms of Adams Express Company, Southern Express Company, American Express Company, and Wells Fargo. By decrees of President Wilson and Treasury Secretary William Gibbs McAdoo, all seven companies were consolidated into one to facilitate transportation during World War One.

In March 1929, the assets and operations of American Railway Express Inc. were transferred to Railway Express Agency which reverted ownership to regional railways. With the construction of an interstate highway system in the 1950's rail express volume began to plummet, plus the network faced new competitors including United Parcel Service and the USPS. Railway Express Agency filed for bankruptcy in 1975.

These circulars included directories of personnel, operating procedural changes, cipher code announcements, updates to processing claims, and even advice on shipping diamonds, cigars and liquor. A January 1921 notice of a missing safe was posted, while a May 1919 circular advises that "rats and mice should not be permitted to infest offices, depots, or other property, and suitable measures must be taken to avoid this."

Many circulars contained full-page 'broadsides' on the last page with tips to "safeguard the perishables" or announcing that November 1921 was "perfect package month".

OK, maybe these reports are boring but document the workings of the railway freight industry for 31 years. Worthy of saving and a valuable reference tool for rail or transportation historians or institution.