Who complained that competition with railroads would cause them to lose money?

Many small farmers and local businesses complained that competition with railroads would cause them to lose money. They argued that railroads often charged high shipping rates, making it difficult for them to compete with larger agricultural producers and businesses that could afford the costs. This concern was particularly pronounced in rural areas where reliance on rail transport was essential for getting goods to market. As a result, these complaints highlighted the broader economic challenges posed by the rise of rail transportation in the 19th century.