Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-08-27


Washington, D. c., Aug. 24.-f
railroad Strikes become much more
troublesome, the same thing may hap
pen in this country that has happened
in England. The motor bus probably
will gain and keep and important place
in our transportation system.
I%nterurban buses, operated over
, short routes, have already proved pop
ular with the committing public, and
only a 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 oeen
compelled to curtail their passenger
service, this has been done recentiy,
while the national automobile chamber
of comm rce has a list OF $50 motor
truck lines which are prepared to ana
in the event of q transportation crlsis.
1t was just such an emergency, re-
sulting from q prolonged coal strike,
that caused the sudden, rapid spread
of motor bus travel in England, which
this year is attaining large proportions.
VIRTUALLY a revolution in transportation
methods may be said TO be now under
tway infhe British Isles. Everywhere
the petrol engine lie 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 nc longer merely a pleas
ure enjoyed by those Britishers who
can afford to buy and keep automobiles.
1t has become a cheap n convenient
means of travel for the multitude, as
we'll as a most important factor in the
movement of freight.
The rise Of the auto bus actually
began. of course, Immediately after the
war. which had demonstrated the prac-
ticability of transporting large bodies
Of men as well as heavy stores OF sup
plies long distances by motor. In the
northern and western parts OF France
were great battle areas, remote from
railway lines. that could be reached
| ONLY on foot or by motor. In the cities
were gathered many relatives of sol
diers and many of the men themselves,
who wished to visit certain places in
the devastated areas. The situation
called loudly for motor buses. and 1t
was not long before they were provid-
ed. Several companies were organ
lied, composed largely Of ex-soldiers.
for the purpose of conducting tourists
over the battlefields by motor.
Thus the idea of long-distance motor
bus sightseeing was born. From
France it quickly spread TO England
and in a short time. we are told. a
company had sprung up which was OPP
Grating buses upon regular schedules
all over Kent. They went as far south
as Dover and Folkstone. as far west
as Margate and Ramsgate, and as far
east as Maidstone. The buses were so
popular and the company made so
much none that others were inspired
to start similar tours in other parts of
the United Kingdom.
This was in 1920. But ii was not
until the spring of 1921 that the motor
bus really came TO play an important
part in British transportation. In
March of that year the coal miners
went out on strike. and the railroads,
never in an extremely robust condi-
ton. gradually collapsed. Not only
were they compelled to cancel half OF
their usual number of trains. but all
expresses. dining cars and drawing
rooms were taken off. The service
became so bad that passengers often
were forced TO stand for eight and
nine hours at a time. In these cir
cumstances. it did not take the bus
companies long TO realize that their
golden opportunity was at hand. I'm
mediately they began TO advertise the
greater convenience and comfort OF
motor travel. and TO extend their tours
in all directions until ii was possible
for a passenger to travel into any part
of England. Scotland or Wales in one
of their vehicles.
They also established an excellent
baggage service. the absence of which
had hitherto been a considerable draw
back to motor bus travel. They adver-
) tised that they would allow every pas
senger on their cars who bought a re