The United States as we know it today is largely the result of mechanical inventions, and in particular of agricultural machinery and the railroad. One transformed millions of acres of uncultivated land into fertile farms, while the other furnished the transportation which carried the crops to distant markets.
John MoodyConsequently many large railroad systems of heavy capitalization bid fair to run into difficulties on the first serious falling off in general business
John MoodyThe construction of extensive railways, however, and particularly the consolidation of small, experimental lines into large systems, dates from the days of the discovery of gold in California
John MoodyWhile no one railroad can completely duplicate another line, two or more may compete at particular points
John Moody