American Railway Express Company Personnel Files and Rules Books, 1918 - 1928

Collection context

Summary

Title:
American Railway Express Company personnel files and rules books
Dates:
1918 - 1928
Abstract:
Personnel files include: applications for employment, letters of reference, and sometimes a photograph of the applicant. There are also American Express Company rule books and ephemera.
Extent:
.167 Linear Feet 1 half-box
Language:
English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], American Railway Express Company personnel files and rules books, MS 527, California State Railroad Museum Library & Archives, Sacramento, California.

Background

Scope and content:

Personnel files include: applications for employment, letters of reference, and sometimes a photograph of the applicant. There are also American Express Company rule books and ephemera.

Biographical / historical:

The American Railway Express Company was created during World War I when the federal government took over operation of the railroads. The railroad-owned companies Great Northern Express, the Northern Express and, the Western Express joined with the privately owned Adams Express Company, American Express Company, Wells Fargo Inc. and Southern Express Company to form (July 1, 1918) a single express company called American Railway Express Company. George Taylor, president of American Express Company, became president of the new company. After the war it proved difficult to return the companies to individual ownership. However, at the urging of the Interstate Commerce Commission, the railroads organized the Railway Express Agency which purchased the American Railway Express Company (March 1, 1929).

Bibliography: V.S. Roseman, RAILWAY EXPRESS AGENCY: AN OVERVIEW (1992).

Physical location:
Statewide Museum Collection Center
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Indexed terms

Subjects:
Corporations--Personnel Management

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Library Archives staff
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2026-02-20 19:22:48 +0000 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research by appointment. Contact Library Staff.

Terms of access:

Copyright has been assigned to the California State Railroad Museum. Permission for publication must be submitted in writing to the CSRM Library & Archives.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], American Railway Express Company personnel files and rules books, MS 527, California State Railroad Museum Library & Archives, Sacramento, California.

Location of this collection:
111 I Street
Sacramento, CA 95814, US
Contact:
(916) 323-8073