Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-07-13
ELECTRIC POWER
| SOUGHT BY BRITISH
Cheaper Means of Transportation
One of Great Prob
lens.
LEARNS TRICK IN AMERICA
War Has Taught Lessons by
Which England Proposes to
Profit.
-EARNS TRICK IN AMERICA
BY FLOYD MACGRIEE.

E,LONDON. July 12.-Cheaper and more
eeetriee poWer the sna fs s w1s
Upward State ownership as we'll as
koefation Of all forms Of transport. ex-
iefore Parliament establishing Min
Ely OF Transport Sir Eric Geddes.
pr of Transport because OF his ability
get things done" There is much
Transport is the most stupendous UNI
Iertaking commercially the British
he proposed plan is the foundation
oGO n4ns. rest, and II the plan shSHd
eoPardized. 1t is not intended there
hT be sb aIy bgIbSns fsiGre
b be tackled from. a national stand
loint and In na,ional spirit instead
obtain with some $50 separate rail-
pays Geddes. a railway wizard by
rofess!on. who got his first expert
kmerica, has the task OF co-ordinating
he railways into one system. TO de-
lelop rs connections with ocean ports
he canal system. 10 make interurban
Ines feeders OF the railway system,
trucks in conjunction with the railways.
10 Improve and extend railways where
keedcd. That Parliament Will enact
Che measure. though with perhaps some
Eninov notifications. Is regarded as GER
Ministry TO Control.
4 Thus the new ministry would have
Eontrol over all railways. !nterurbans.
canals, inland Waterways, docks. har-
kors, piers. roadways. bridges. ferries
Rrttain's biggest step toward State So
bialism.
k'ar was control OF direction and opera
ion OF the railways hut did not in
Folve control OF the physical properties
war railway workers have received
kage increases and an eight hour day.
Involving an added expenditure OF some
100000 900 yearly. and while repairs
naterials. revenues did not keep apace
E!th operating expenses and the
EoSernment Was COMPELLED TO meet The
fcGcit. amounting TO about $500. 900. 900,
10 that the stock income which had
feen guaranteed could be met. To re-
low would mean disasier. for cheaper
TRANSPORTATION ms we'll as more eficien Mt
\ ysnsporta,ion would not be possible.
aoF inc nef bound ses the
E'ntAe the stock income after peace. the
government is, simply getting the
l base when the time comes. The trans
bort bill authorizes the government TO
purchase any properties. either by
Egreement or compulsorily" al option.
War Teaches Lemons.
The war taught the lesson of bcne-
IFS to be gained by central operation
Pf railways. Miracles IN transporia-
lion were performed, due solely 10 sim
gle operation. despite the fact that %
pr 80 per cent OF the railway men were
n the army.
It is regarded tina, the chief means
PIT making transportation cheap will
pc Dy more extended use OF electrical
power. Hence the bin authorizing
Eent committee appointed TO consider
bow more value could be gotten from
t:oal recommended esta blishment OF six
Teen great power stations throughout
Industr!al Britain. which could furnish
power TO railways we'll as factories.
IThere being great areas OF congcsted
industry the outlet for current pro-
tuced by such central stations could
pc readily utilized. Gradual electrifi-
patton OF the railway lines also could
be accomplished. Most hauis are less
Pnly is possible. but would create a
great saving in operation. including
wa ees, replacement and even initial
fost OF engines. Way maintenance
would be less.
Thus the State. directing all forms
tof inland transport by land and water
soon would be the greatest consumer
of Goa! In the country. due to these
Euper-power stations, hence national
llzation OF the mines or adoption Of bet
PER mining methods. with elimination
|oi, pront on coal. would be but the logi-
|cal solution for cheap production of