Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1922-08-27
MOTOR BUS is
TAKING PLACE
OF RAILROADS
nv FREDERIC j. HAsKIN

Washington, d. c., Aug. 26.-If
railroad strikes become much
more troublesome, the same thing
!. may happen in this country that
has happened in England. The
motor bus probably will gain and
keep an important place in cur
transportation system.
Interurban buses, operating over
short routes, have already proved
popular with the committing pub
lie, and only temporary collapse
of railroad service will see the bus
companies promptly extend their
routes over long distances. In
some parts of the middle west
where the railroads have been
compelled to curtail their passen-
ger service, this has been done re-
Gently, while the national automo-
bile chamber of commerce has a
list OF $50 motor truck lines which
are prepared to aid in the event OF
a transportation crisis.
1t was just such an emergency,
resulting from prolonged coal
strike, that caused the sudden,
rapid spread of motor bus travel
in England, which this year is at
tanning large proportions. Vir-
tually revolution in transporta-
ton methods may be said to be
row under way in the British Isles.
Everywhere the petrol engine is
challenging the steam engine, with
the result that the railroads are
beginning to experience some of
the apprehension suffered by the
stage coach lines many years ago.
Motoring is no longer merely a
pleasure enjoyed by those British
ers who can afford to buy and
keep automobiles. 1t has become
cheap and convenient means OF
travel for the multitude, as well as
most important factor in the
! movement Of freight.
The rise of the auto bus actually
began, of course, Immediately af-
ter the war, which had demon
strated the practically of trans
porting large bodies of men as
we'll as heavy stores of supplies
long distances by motor. In the
northern and western parts of
France were great battle areas, re-
mote from railway lines, that
could be reached only on foot or
by motor. In the cities were ga
thered many relatives of soldiers
and many Of the men themselves
who wished to visit certain places
in the devastated areas. The stu
alton called loudly for motor
buses, and it was not long before
they were provided. Several COM
panies were organized, composed
largely of ex-soldiers, for the pur-
pose of conducting tourists over
the battle fields by motor.
Idea Came From France.
Thus the idea of lons-distance
motor bus sightseeing was born.
From France it quickly spread to
England and in short time, we
are told, company had sprung up
which was operating buses upon
regular schedules all over Kent,
They went as far south as Dover
and Folkstone, as far west as Mar
gate and Ramsgate. and as far
east as Maidstone. The buses were
so popular and the company made
so much money that others were
inspired to start similar tours in
other parts of the United King
dom.
This was in 1920. But It was
not until the spring of 1921 that
the motor bus really came to play
an important part in British trans
portation. In March of that year
the coal miners went out on strike
and the railroads, never in an ex-
tremely robust condition, grad
ually collapsed. Not only were