An article on HowStuffWorks.com about the history of the automobile in the U.S.. It cites a group called National City Lines formed in 1920 for the U.S. dependence on cars. This group bought-out streetcar companies and replaced them with buses, forcing the automobile to be used as the sole method of public transportation. They were charged and convicted with "conspiracy to monopolize", but were merely fined $5000 for the crime.