But, in the third place, there are also to be considered the expenses
represented by the employees not in the offices--those on the vehicles,
around the stables and garages, and on the trains. Consolidation of the
express service with the postal service would result in a consolidation,
not only of equipment, but also of personnel. If one truck does the work
of two trucks, or four trucks of five, two truck employees can do the
work of four, or eight of ten. Where one railway car does the work of
two, one railway car crew can do the work of two crews. That such saving
would have a not altogether inconsiderable effect upon the operating
expenses and hence upon the rates of the express companies is evident
from the fact that the wages of vehicle, stable, garage and train
employees amounted in 1917 to $23,547,906, or 20% of the operating
expenses of the express companies.