Then he entered the Railway Mail service; in this service he completely revolutionized the system and introduced reforms that exist at the present time.

A natural bent had apparently directed Vail's mind towards methods of communication, a fact that may perhaps explain the youthful enthusiasm with which he took up the new venture and the vision with which he foresaw and planned its future.

For the chief fact about Vail is that he was a business man with an imagination.

The crazy little machine which he now undertook to exploit did not interest him as a means of collecting tolls, floating stock, and paying dividends.

He saw in it a new method of spreading American civilization and of contributing to the happiness and comfort of millions of people.