As might have been expected, the ablest company quickly swallowed the other twelve.

If it had been let alone, this company might have given good service, but it was hobbled and fenced in by jealous regulations.

It was compelled to pay one-tenth of its gross earnings to the Post Office.

It was to hold itself ready to sell out at six months' notice.

And as soon as it had strung a long-distance system of wires, the Postmaster General pounced down upon it and took it away.
Then, in 1900, the Post Office tossed aside all obligations to the licensed company, and threw open the door to a free-for-all competition.
It undertook to start a second system in London, and in two years discovered its blunder and proposed to cooperate.