During 1917-1920 the government forced the express companys of Adams Express Co, American Express Co, Southern Express Co and Wells Fargo and Company Express to form the American Railway Express, So after the first World War there was only one express company American Railway Express. The American Railway express was pushing a new contract for rates and fees and every railroad was given the right by the goverment to form their own independent express company or fast freight service. The Southern Railway opted to create their own express company. The new company was called the Southeastern Express Company. Along with the Southern Railroad the Mobile and Ohio also choose to use this company and in all had a total system with little more than 20,000 miles of track in 1921-1929 in the Southeastern states.