Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-08-02
THE RAILROAD AND MOTOR
BUS PROBLEM

mission is now engaged in an inves-
tigation of a Comparatively new phase
of the transportation problem, one
which has developed within the past
decade and concerning which there
has been considerable agitation in
various states. From its thirteen
regional hearings into the conditions
surrounding the operations Of motor
vehicle common carriers in interstate
commerce, the Commission will rec
onamend to Congress what regulatory
legislation, if any, should be enacted.
Gradually during the past few
years the railroads Of the country
have been feeling more and mere the
strain Of competition from the mo-
tor bus and the motor truck, until
now with the multitude Of chartered
gasoline propelled vehicle concerns
engaged in the business Of common
carriers the railroads realize the
enormity Of the problem that con-
fronts them.
Faced by this competition, rail-
road companies have exhibited a re-
markable degree OF enterprise. In
many cases through additional train
service and readjustment Of sched-
ules they have sought to hold their
business, while in other cases through
subsidiaries they have entered the
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quality Of service which in some
respects they could not duplicate as
restricted railway companies.
1.-THE attitude Of the railroads to-
ward the motor bus and the motor
truck Is not destructive" The New
York Herald Tribune AYERS. They
have never sought nor suggested the
withdrawal of such competition, but
only the application of a certain
amount of regulation for it, so that
they might have to deal with respon-
sible rather than irresponsible COM
petitors. The speed and safety of
steam and electric railroad trains
are limited by the condition of the
tracks, roadbed and bridges on which
they must run. The annual bill for
maintaining the way and structures
Of the carriers exceeds the cost of
maintaining all their motive power.
The railroads are forced, too, to in
cur heavy annual expenses in the
way Of watchmen, warning signs and
gates at highway crossings, as well
as to pay out large sums for the
elimination of crossings and for gen.
eral track elevation. SO tremendous
are these costs that the Long Island
q ~ a nR1lT ~
offered to make 8 gift to the public
of one of its branch lines rather than
shoulder the burden of removing the
grade crossings on the right of way
1T is the contention of the railroads
that public bodies which deal with
transportation problems under the
laws creating them should join in
establishing and enforcing such regu-
lations as will result in the opera
ton OF bus and motor lines respon-
sible for accident or damage and fur
nishing regular, dependable service IL
bad weather as we'll as good, in win
ter as well as summer. Certificates
or licenses, it is felt, should be grant
ed only to those able to guarantee
safe, reliable and efficient service
This, it is admitted, may result in
granting monopoly privileges in many
cases, but such a development is al
most inevitable where a recognized
public utility comes into competition
with an unregulated and unrestricted
agency rendering similar service"
The belief is expressed by the Bus
Division of the American Automobile
Association, representing sixteen
large independent bus associations
that the tide is still running strongly
in favor Of legislation for interstate
regulation, locally administered and
with the necessary protection of ap-
peal to specifically designated tri-
bunal in case of difference between
the regulatory bodies and the motor
vehicle carriers. 1t further predicts
that whatever the form of the I. c.
c. recommendation to Congress may
be, that body will submit data that
will convince Congress that this is a
big national problem which must be
treated nationally and not locally
or piece meal as was threatened In
the recent session of Congress when
special legislation regarding the Hud-
son Tunnel and the Delaware Bridge
at Philadelphia was introduced
With all factions eager to be heard
the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion will have reams OF data upon
which to mediate, and its findings
as proposed basis for the develop
ment Of national policy will be not
ed with great interest in all Sec
tons.