EXPRESS, a word signifying that which is clearly and def initely set forth or represented, explicit, and thus used of a meaning, a law, a contract, and the like, being specially contrasted with "implied." Thus in law, malice, for which there is actual evidence, as apart from that which may be inferred from the acts of the person charged, is known as "express." The word is most frequently used with the idea of something done with a definite purpose. The term "express train," which has become associated with the idea of speed, originally meant a train running for some specific purpose or engaged by a private person.
In the United States, express companies for the rapid trans mission of parcels and luggage and light goods generally perform the function of the post office or the railways in Great Britain and the Continent of Europe. Not only do they deliver goods, but by the cash on delivery system (see CASH) they act as agents both for the purchaser and seller of goods. They also serve as a most efficient agency for the transmission of money, the ex press money order being much more easily convertible than the postal money order, as the latter can only be redeemed at offices in large towns. The system dates back to 1839, when one William Frederick Harnden , a conductor on the Boston and Worcester railway, undertook on his own account the carrying of small parcels and the performance of small commissions. Obliged to leave the company's service or abandon his enterprise, he started an "express" service between Boston and New York, carrying parcels, executing commissions and collecting drafts and bills. Alvin Adams followed in 184o, also between Boston and New York. From 184o to 1845 the system was adopted by many others between the more important towns throughout the States. The attempt to carry letters also was stopped by the Government as interfering with the post office. In 1854 began the amalgama tion of many of the companies. Thus under the name of the Adams Express Company the services started by Harnden and Adams were consolidated. The lines connecting the west and east by Albany, Buffalo and the lakes were consolidated in the American Express Company, under the direction of William G. Fargo (q.v.), Henry Wells and Johnston Livingston, while an other company, Wells, Fargo and Company, operated on the Pacific coast. The celebrated "Pony Express" was started in 186o between San Francisco and St. Joseph, Mo., the time scheduled being eight days. The service was carried on by re lays of horses, with stations 25m. apart. The charge made for the service was $2.5o per ounce. The completion of the Pa cific Telegraph Company line in 186 i was followed by the dis continuance of the regular service. In 1918 the several Express companies were brought under the control of a single company, the American Railway Express Company, which acted as agent for the U.S. Director of Railroads, in handling express matter on railroads placed under Government control. The Transportation Act of 1920 specifically permitted the American Railway Express Company to continue as a private organization after the Govern ment returned the railroads to private owners, during that year. Thus, one company has since practically handled the entire ex press business of the country with 27,500 offices and 125,00o em ployes, and operating over 260,00o miles of railroad. In Sept. 1927 the Air Express was inaugurated. This is being expanded so that ultimately there will he a network of Air Express routes.